epidemicep‧i‧dem‧ic /ˌepəˈdemɪk◂/ ●●○ noun [countable] 
Over 500 people died during last year’s flu epidemic.epidemic of an epidemic of cholera2a sudden increase in the number of times that something bad happensepidemic of Britain is suffering an epidemic of petty crime.—epidemic adjective [only before noun]: Violent crime is reaching epidemic proportions in some cities.
WORD ORIGINepidemic
Origin:
1600-1700 French épidémique, from Greek epidemos ‘visiting’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a cholera epidemic
- AIDS has become an epidemic in some countries.
- Alcohol abuse has reached epidemic proportions in this country.
- Doctors warn that a flu epidemic may be on the way.
- The recent epidemic of car thefts has been blamed on bored teenagers.
- In an average year, about 35 babies suffer rubella damage, but an epidemic will normally claim about 70 victims.
- In polio epidemics, rewards and punishments were dispensed with a random, devastating hand.
- In the face of an epidemic which was sweeping away our friends and lovers, we sought help where we could.
- Researchers studying epidemics in Chicago and Buffalo in the forties offered several theories.
- The epidemic had already taken a terrible toll in his country.
- The decision came amidst continuing reports of severe malnutrition and health epidemics.
- The result: a temporary reduction of flies, but no halt in the polio epidemic.
- This exercise was carried out by a third year group in a secondary school studying a cholera epidemic.
Longman Language Activatorwhen a lot of people have an illness
when a lot of people suddenly start to get an illness at the same time: outbreak of: · Doctors are very concerned about an outbreak of tuberculosis in an East London School.
when a lot of people in an area or country get a disease, and it spreads very quickly: · AIDS has become an epidemic in some countries.· Doctors warn that a flu epidemic may be on the way.
a lot of unpleasant events in a short period of time · An alarming spate of bombings has caused widespread panic.· The company has yet to respond to the recent spate of lawsuits filed against it.· The party lost power three years ago after a spate of political scandals.
a lot of unpleasant activity of one particular kind which spreads quickly during a short period of time and which seems to be difficult to stop or control: epidemic of: · The recent epidemic of car thefts has been blamed on bored teenagers.reach epidemic proportions (=become like an epidemic): · Alcohol abuse has reached epidemic proportions in this country.
a large number of unpleasant events or a particular kind that happen in a short period of time in many different places: · Emergency officials worry that the region may again be hit by a rash of wildfires this fall.· Experts are not sure what is causing the recent rash of mountain lion sightings.
a lot of unpleasant activity or actions suddenly becoming worse and increasing in a short period of time: wave of: · Security chiefs fear a new wave of terrorist bombings.· The country has been brought to a standstill by the latest wave of strikes.crime wave: · The mayor has promised tough action in response to the city's rising crime wave.
WORD SETSabscess, nounache, verbache, nounacne, nounagoraphobia, nounagoraphobic, nounague, noun-aholic, suffixAIDS, nounailment, nounairsick, adjectivealbino, nounalcoholic, nounalcoholism, nounallergic, adjectiveallergy, nounamnesia, nounamputee, nounanaemia, nounanaemic, adjectiveangina, nounanorexia, nounanorexic, adjectiveantacid, nounanthrax, nounantibody, nounantidepressant, nounantidote, nounantigen, nounantihistamine, nounanti-inflammatory, adjectiveantitoxin, nounapoplectic, adjectiveapoplexy, nounappendicitis, nounarteriosclerosis, nounarthritis, nounaseptic, adjectiveaspirin, nounasthma, nounastigmatism, nounasymptomatic, adjectiveathlete's foot, nounatrophy, verbauto-immune disease, nounAyurvedic medicine, nounbaby blues, nounbacillus, nounbackache, nounbark, verbbattle fatigue, nounBCG, nounbedridden, adjectivebedsore, nounbed-wetting, nounbellyache, nounbenign, adjectiveberiberi, nounbespectacled, adjectivebetter, adjectivebilious, adjectivebinge, verbbiopsy, nounbirthmark, nounbite, verbbite, nounblack and blue, adjectiveBlack Death, the, black eye, nounblackout, nounbleed, verbbleeding, nounblind, verbblister, nounblister, verbblood bank, nounblood donor, nounblood poisoning, nounbloodshot, adjectiveblood transfusion, nounbloody, adjectivebloody, verbblue baby, nounboil, nounbotulism, nounbrain damage, nounbreakdown, nounbronchitis, nounbruise, nounbruise, verbBSE, nounbubonic plague, nounbug, nounbulimia, nounbump, nounbunion, nounbuzz, verbcalloused, adjectivecallus, nouncancer, nouncandida, nouncanker, nouncarbuncle, nouncarcinogen, nouncarcinogenic, adjectivecarcinoma, nouncardiac, adjectivecardiovascular, adjectivecaries, nouncarpal tunnel syndrome, nouncarrier, nouncarry, verbcarsick, adjectivecast, nouncasualty, nouncataract, nouncatarrh, nouncatatonic, adjectivecatching, adjectivecauliflower ear, nouncerebral palsy, nouncertify, verbcervical smear, nounchapped, adjectivecharley horse, nounchemotherapy, nounchesty, adjectivechicken pox, nounchilblains, nounChinese medicine, nouncholera, nounchronic, adjectivecirrhosis, nounCJD, nouncleanse, verbcleft palate, nounclinic, nounclinical, adjectiveclub foot, nouncold, nouncold sore, nouncolic, nouncolitis, nouncollapse, verbcolour-blind, adjectivecoma, nouncommon cold, nouncommon denominator, nouncommunicate, verbcomplaint, nouncomplicate, verbcomplication, nouncompound fracture, nounconcuss, verbconcussion, nouncondition, nouncongenital, adjectivecongested, adjectiveconjunctivitis, nounconstipation, nounconsumption, nounconsumptive, nouncontagion, nouncontagious, adjectivecontinent, adjectivecontract, verbcontusion, nounconvalesce, verbconvulsion, nouncorn, nouncortisone, nouncot death, nouncough, nounCPR, nouncrack-up, nouncramp, nounCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease, nouncrick, nouncrick, verbcripple, nouncripple, verbcross-eyed, adjectivecroup, nouncurable, adjectivecut, nouncyst, nouncystic fibrosis, nouncystitis, noundecompression sickness, noundeep vein thrombosis, noundeformity, noundegenerative, adjectivedehydrate, verbdelirious, adjectivedelirium, noundelusion, noundementia, noundengue fever, noundepression, noundermatitis, noundiabetes, noundiabetic, adjectivediabetic, noundiagnosis, noundialysis, noundiaper rash, noundiarrhoea, noundiphtheria, noundisability, noundisable, verbdisabled, adjectivedischarge, verbdisease, noundisgorge, verbdislocate, verbdisorder, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundistemper, noundistend, verbdizzy, adjectivedoddering, adjectivedoddery, adjectivedonate, verbdonor, noundouble vision, noundoughy, adjectivedown, adverbDown's syndrome, noundrawn, adjectivedressing, noundrinker, noundrunk, adjectivedrunk, noundrunken, adjectivedull, adjectivedumb, adjectiveDVT, noundysentery, noundyslexia, noundyspepsia, noundyspeptic, adjectiveearache, nouneating disorder, nounEbola, nounectopic pregnancy, nouneczema, nounemaciated, adjectiveemasculate, verbembolism, nounemphysema, nounencephalitis, nounendoscope, nounenervate, verbenteritis, nounepidemic, nounepilepsy, nounepileptic, adjectiveepileptic, nounetiology, nounexcruciating, adjectiveexposure, nouneyeless, adjectiveeye strain, nounfail, verbfaint, nounfester, verbfever, nounfever blister, nounfevered, adjectivefeverish, adjectivefirst aid, nounfit, nounflat feet, nounflat-footed, adjectiveflu, nounfood poisoning, nounfoot and mouth disease, nounfracture, verbfracture, nounfrostbite, noungall, noungammy, adjectiveganglion, noungangrene, noungas, noungash, noungastric, adjectivegastritis, noungastroenteritis, nounGerman measles, nounget, verbgingivitis, nounglandular fever, nounglaucoma, noungnarled, adjectivegonorrhea, noungout, noungrand mal, noungraze, verbgraze, noungriping, adjectivegroggy, adjectivegrowing pains, noungrowth, noungush, verbgynaecology, nounhacking cough, nounhaemophilia, nounhaemophiliac, nounhaemorrhage, nounhaemorrhage, verbhaemorrhoids, nounhalitosis, nounhandicap, nounhandicapped, adjectivehangover, nounhard of hearing, adjectiveharelip, nounhay fever, nounheadache, nounhealth, nounheart attack, nounheartburn, nounheart disease, nounheart failure, nounheat exhaustion, nounheat rash, nounheatstroke, nounheave, verbhepatitis, nounhernia, nounherpes, nounHIV, nounhormone replacement therapy, nounhospital, nounhospitalize, verbhot flush, nounhousebound, adjectiveHRT, nounhump, nounhumpback, nounhunchback, nounhungover, adjectivehydrophobia, nounhypertension, nounhypothermia, nounhysterectomy, nounhysteria, nounhysterical, adjectiveillness, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nounimmunize, verbimmunology, nounimpacted, adjectiveimpediment, nounimpetigo, nounimpotent, adjectiveincision, nounincontinent, adjectiveincubate, verbincurable, adjectiveindigestion, nounindisposed, adjectiveindisposition, nouninfantile, adjectiveinfantile paralysis, nouninfect, verbinfected, adjectiveinfection, nouninfectious, adjectiveinfirmity, nouninflammation, nouninflammatory, adjectiveinfluenza, nouninfusion, nouningrowing, adjectiveinoculate, verbinoperable, adjectiveinsane, adjectiveinsanity, nouninsomnia, nouninsomniac, nouninstability, nounintensive care, nounintravenous, adjectiveinvalid, nouninvalidity, nouninvasive, adjectiveirregular, adjectiveirritable bowel syndrome, nounirritant, nounirritate, verbirritated, adjectiveirritation, noun-ism, suffixisolation, nounjaundice, nounjaundiced, adjectivejet lag, nounknock-kneed, adjectiveknotted, adjectivelaceration, nounlaryngitis, nounlegionnaire's disease, nounleper, nounleprosy, nounlesion, nounleukemia, nounlisp, nounlisteria, nounliverish, adjectivelockjaw, nounlong-sighted, adjectiveloose, adjectivelozenge, nounlumbago, nounlunacy, nounLyme disease, nounmad cow disease, nounmalady, nounmalaise, nounmalaria, nounmalformation, nounmalignancy, nounmalignant, adjectivemalnourished, adjectivemalnutrition, nounmange, nounmangy, adjectivemania, nounmanic, adjectivemanic depression, nounmastitis, nounME, nounmeasles, nounmedicinal, adjectivemegalomania, nounmegalomaniac, nounmelancholia, nounmelancholic, adjectivemelanoma, nounmend, verbmeningitis, nounmentally handicapped, adjectivemigraine, nounmild, adjectivemiscarriage, nounmole, nounmongol, nounmono, nounmononucleosis, nounmorbid, adjectivemorning sickness, nounmoron, nounmotion sickness, nounmotor neurone disease, nounMRI, nounMRSA, nounMS, nounmultiple sclerosis, nounmumps, nounmurmur, nounmusclebound, adjectivemuscular dystrophy, nounmute, adjectivemute, nounmyopia, nounmyopic, adjectivemyxomatosis, nounnarcolepsy, nounnausea, nounnauseate, verbnauseous, adjectivenearsighted, adjectivenervous breakdown, nounnettle rash, nounneuralgia, nounneurosis, nounneurotic, adjectivenosebleed, nounnotifiable, adjectiveNSU, nounobesity, nounoff-colour, adjectiveoperate, verboperation, nounophthalmic, adjectiveophthalmology, noun-osis, suffixosteoarthritis, nounosteopathy, nounosteoporosis, nounoutpatient, nounoverbite, nounpacemaker, nounpaediatrics, nounpale, adjectivepallid, adjectivepallor, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpalsy, nounpandemic, nounparalyse, verbparalysed, adjectiveparalysis, nounparalytic, adjectiveparalytic, nounparanoia, nounparaplegia, nounparaplegic, nounparasitic, adjectiveParkinson's disease, nounparoxysm, nounpasty, adjectivepasty-faced, adjectivepathogen, nounpathological, adjectivepathology, nounpeaked, adjectivepeaky, adjectivepellagra, nounpeptic ulcer, nounperforated, adjectiveperiod pain, nounperitonitis, nounpernicious anaemia, nounpersecution complex, nounpestilence, nounpestilential, adjectivepetit mal, nounpharyngitis, nounphlebitis, nounphlegm, noun-phobic, suffixphysiotherapy, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepins and needles, nounplacebo, nounplague, nounplaque, nounplaster cast, nounpleurisy, nounPMS, nounPMT, nounpneumonia, nounpockmark, nounpockmarked, adjectivepoisoning, nounpolio, nounpolyp, nounpoor, adjectivepost-traumatic stress disorder, nounpremenstrual tension, nounprescribe, verbprescription, nounpreventive medicine, nounprickle, verbprickly heat, nounprognosis, nounprolapse, nounprophylactic, adjectiveprophylactic, nounprophylaxis, nounpsoriasis, nounpsychopath, nounpsychosis, nounpsychosomatic, adjectivepsychotic, adjectivepuffy, adjectivepull, verbpurulent, adjectivepus, nounpustule, nounqueasy, adjectiverabid, adjectiverabies, nounradiation sickness, nounradiography, nounrash, nounraw, adjectivereact, verbreaction, nounreceive, verbrecuperate, verbrecuperative, adjectiveregurgitate, verbrelapse, verbremission, nounrepetitive strain injury, nounresistance, nounrespond, verbretch, verbRhesus factor, nounrheumatic, adjectiverheumatic fever, nounrheumatism, nounrheumatoid arthritis, nounrickets, nounringworm, nounRSI, nounrubella, nounrun-down, adjectiverunny, adjectiverupture, nounsaddle-sore, adjectivesalmonella, nounscab, nounscabby, adjectivescabies, nounscald, verbscald, nounscaly, adjectivescar, nounscar, verbscarlet fever, nounschizophrenia, nounsciatica, nounsclerosis, nounscrape, verbscrape, nounscratch, nounscurvy, nounseasick, adjectiveseizure, nounself-examination, nounsenile, adjectivesenile dementia, nounsenseless, adjectivesepsis, nounseptic, adjectivesepticaemia, nounserum, nounset, verbsexually transmitted disease, nounshell shock, nounshell-shocked, adjectiveshingles, nounshock, nounshort-sighted, adjectivesickle-cell anaemia, nounsickly, adjectivesickness, nounside effect, nounsightless, adjectivesimple fracture, nounsleeping sickness, nounslipped disc, nounsmallpox, nounsnakebite, nounsnow blindness, nounsore, adjectivesore, nounspastic, adjectivespecial needs, nounspecimen, nounspina bifida, nounsprain, verbsputum, nounsquint, verbsquint, nounstammer, nounstarvation, nounstarve, verbSTD, nounstomachache, nounstone, nounstrain, nounstrain, verbstrangulated, adjectivestrep throat, nounstroke, nounsty, nounsuccumb, verbsufferer, nounsunstroke, nounsuperbug, nounsurgical, adjectiveswelling, nounswollen, adjectivesymptom, nounsymptomatic, adjectivesyndrome, nounsyphilis, nounTB, nountear, verbtetanus, nountherapeutic, adjectivetherapy, nounthrombosis, nounthrush, nountic, nountight, adjectivetingle, verbtinnitus, nountipsy, adjectivetonsillitis, nountoothache, nountorment, nountourniquet, nountoxaemia, nountoxic shock syndrome, nountraction, nountransfusion, nountrauma, nountravel sickness, nountreatment, nountremor, nountuberculosis, nountumour, nountunnel vision, nountwinge, nountwitch, nountyphoid, nountyphus, nounulcer, nounulcerate, verbultrasound, noununderweight, adjectiveundressed, adjectiveunhealthy, adjectiveuntreated, adjectivevaccinate, verbvaccine, nounvaricose veins, nounVD, nounvenereal disease, nounverruca, nounvertigo, nounviral, adjectivevirology, nounvirulent, adjectivevomit, verbvomit, nounwart, nounweak, adjectiveweal, nounweep, verbwheeze, verbwheeze, nounwheezy, adjectivewhiplash, nounwhooping cough, nounwind, nounwithered, adjectivewound, nounwrench, verbwriter's cramp, nounyaws, nounyeast infection, nounyellow fever, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Violent crime is reaching epidemic proportions in some cities.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Doctors now fear a flu epidemic.
1a large number of cases of a disease that happen at the same time: Violent crime is reaching epidemic proportions in some cities. Doctors now fear a flu epidemic. (=very great size, especially in a particular place)· Shoplifting has reached epidemic proportions.
· Alcohol abuse has reached epidemic proportions in this country.
formal (=become or seem very great)· Unless you deal with it quickly, the damage may assume serious proportions.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Some progress was made upon a few, particularly the reduction of major epidemics of malaria, cholera, smallpox and yellow-fever.· If, say, measles had shown such an increase, we should now be talking about a major epidemic.· A third factor is that there has not been a major epidemic in Britain for 20 years.
NOUN· Recent topics include career guidance, parenthood and the AIDS epidemic.· The support of top management will be necessary if you are to successfully carry out any approach to the AIDS epidemic.· All the ingredients for an AIDS epidemic that has yet to begin.· When the AIDS epidemic began in the early 1980s, Scolaro was called to treat a number of friends who became ill.· In differing degrees they represent a retrogressive approach to the Aids epidemic that could cost tens of thousands of lives.· No other methods have ever been found anywhere in any country during the entire course of the AIDS epidemic.· And yet the country faces an AIDS epidemic every bit as catastrophic as the one that is ravaging its neighbours.· And he has boosted federal spending to combat the AIDS epidemic.
· This exercise was carried out by a third year group in a secondary school studying a cholera epidemic.· The church has held them through fire and cholera epidemics since they arrived here with the compliments of the Bishop of London.· Reports are coming into the newsroom of a cholera epidemic in a nearby town.· As already mentioned, Paredes y Arrillaga died in the summer of 1849, and Mariano Otero succumbed to the cholera epidemic.· The direction of Baker's career was determined by the cholera epidemic of 1831-2.· She also helped set up a convalescent home for patients from the East End after the cholera epidemic of 1867.· Opposition sentiment was galvanized by a catastrophic famine and cholera epidemic in 1891-92.· Sir James Kay Shuttleworth was a successful physician in Manchester during the great cholera epidemic of 1832.
· Fortunately, full-blown flu epidemics are relatively rare.· Jane died in the flu epidemic in 1916.· Ah, that was the time we had a spring flu epidemic.
· Did you know that poor little Edna died in the influenza epidemic?· The joy of the end to the war was marred, unfortunately, by a worldwide influenza epidemic.· But when she was 6 her parents died in the post-WorldWar I influenza epidemic.· José's parents died in the influenza epidemic just after the First World War.· He was also concerned about the influenza epidemics and studied the virus involved.· She died in the influenza epidemic of 1919.
· His interest in polio is said to have originated during the polio epidemic in New York City in 1931.· If flies could be eliminated, then perhaps so could polio epidemics.· What the experimenters did not account for in their preparations was the hysteria that surrounded polio epidemics.· The result: a temporary reduction of flies, but no halt in the polio epidemic.· In polio epidemics, rewards and punishments were dispensed with a random, devastating hand.· Often the first separation was literal, through hospital isolation and quarantine, practices firmly established during the 1916 polio epidemic.
VERB· Without even trying, it would seem, the Bourse has given birth to a fever that has fast become an epidemic.· Green fields and hams: Slightly tweaked hamstrings are becoming epidemic at Dodgertown.· Hepatitis B has become a hyper-epidemic with a 60 % infection rate.
· A few weeks later he appeared at Chelmsford summer assizes, charged with causing an epidemic then raging in the town.
· Did you know that poor little Edna died in the influenza epidemic?· They died in epidemics of yellow fever, cholera, and smallpox.· José's parents died in the influenza epidemic just after the First World War.· Jane died in the flu epidemic in 1916.· Unfortunately, the bride-to-be died in a smallpox epidemic, which plunged the city both into mourning and quarantine.· My father died in the typhus epidemic.· She died in the influenza epidemic of 1919.· More than 340 people died in four consecutive epidemics.
· The country must face this epidemic as a unified society.
Over 500 people died during last year’s flu epidemic.epidemic of an epidemic of cholera2a sudden increase in the number of times that something bad happensepidemic of Britain is suffering an epidemic of petty crime.—epidemic adjective [only before noun]: Violent crime is reaching epidemic proportions in some cities.