| 释义 |
epidemical, a.|ɛpɪˈdɛmɪkəl|
Also 7 epidimicall.
[f. prec. + -al1.]
1. Of diseases: of an epidemic character.
1621Burton Anat. Mel. Democr. (1676) 35/1 Cure us of our Epidemical diseases. 1669Worlidge Syst. Agric. (1681) 297 Still and quiet Summers being the most..subject to Pestilential and Epidemical Diseases. 1728Morgan Algiers I. iv. 98 Their [camels'] epidemical Distemper is the Mange. 1751Phil. Trans. XLVII. lxiii. 385 The plague..has been mostly sporadic, seldom epidemical. 1816F. H. Naylor Hist. Germany II. xxii. 316 An epidemical malady had raged among the cattle. 1881Sat. Rev. 5 Feb. 172 Colds were epidemical; there were choruses of coughing.
fig.a1640Jackson Wks. II. 380 This hypocrisie..epidemical to this nation. c1680in Somers Tracts II. 321 Let such a Prince beware of epidemical Discontents. 1720Welton Suff. Son of God I. vi. 107 Those Vices, which are most prevalent and epidemical in the World. 1780Cowper Lett. 5 Oct., That bashful and awkward restraint, so epidemical among the youth of our country. 1818Hallam Mid. Ages (1872) I. 35 Every means was used to excite an epidemical frenzy.
b. Pertaining to, characterized by an epidemic or epidemics.
1798Malthus Popul. (1817) II. 186 The common epidemical years which are interspersed throughout these tables.
†2. General, prevalent, universal; that is to be found everywhere; = epidemic A. 2. arch. or Obs.
1628Pym Sp. in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1659) I. 600 Wedded to the love of epidemical and popular errors. a1658Cleveland Rebel Scot iii, Scotland's a National Epidemical. 1774J. Bryant Mythol. I. 131 He had great knowledge; yet could not help giving way to this epidemical weakness. 1836Sparks Biog., Mather VI. vii. 329 Contrary to the epidemical expectation of the country.
†b. nonce-use. ? Belonging to the whole people.
1642Howell For. Trav. (Arb.) 76 That great Epidemicall Counsell [Parliament] wherein every one from the Peere to the Plebeian hath an inclusive Vote.
3. quasi-n. pl. rare—1. Epidemical diseases.
1802Med. Jrnl. VIII. 281 What candour and ability in his History of Epidemicals!
Hence epiˈdemically adv., in an epidemic manner: (a) like an epidemic disease; (b) in a widespread manner, generally, universally. epiˈdemicalness, the state of being epidemic.
1641Frogs of Egypt 2 They were heretofore so Epidemically strict. 1657G. Starkey Helmont's Vind. 29 The disease was epidemically malignant. a1691Boyle Wks. VI. 372 An ingredient should be generally friendly, before it be entertained epidemically in our daily diet. 1845Stocqueler Handbk. Brit. India (1854) 380 Cholera and small-pox generally make their appearance epidemically once or twice a year. 1646W. Price Mans Delinquencie 4 The Epidemicalnesse and spreading universality [of iniquities and trespasses]. |