epidemically


ep·i·dem·ic

E0176800 (ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk) also ep·i·dem·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)adj.1. Spreading rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or a population at the same time: an epidemic outbreak of influenza.2. Widely prevalent: epidemic discontent.n.1. An outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely.2. A rapid spread, growth, or development: an unemployment epidemic.
[French épidémique, from épidémie, an epidemic, from Old French espydymie, from Medieval Latin epidēmia, from Greek epidēmiā, prevalence of an epidemic disease, from epidēmos, prevalent : epi-, epi- + dēmos, people; see dā- in Indo-European roots.]
ep′i·dem′i·cal·ly adv.