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Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Epidemic

/ĕpˌ-əd-ĕm'-ĭk/ · Ep·i·dem·ic · IPA /ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk/
01 a. Common to, or affecting at the same time, a large number in a community; -- applied to a disease which, spreading widely, attacks many pers…
  1. 1.
    Common to, or affecting at the same time, a large number in a community; -- applied to a disease which, spreading widely, attacks many persons at the same time; as, an epidemic disease; an epidemic catarrh, fever, etc. See Endemic.(Med.) See: Endemic
  2. 2.
    Spreading widely, or generally prevailing; affecting great numbers, as an epidemic does; as, epidemic rage; an epidemic evil.
    “It was the epidemical sin of the nation.” — Bp. Burnet.
02 n. An epidemic disease.
  1. 1.
    An epidemic disease.(Med.)
  2. 2.
    Anything which takes possession of the minds of people as an epidemic does of their bodies; as, an epidemic of terror.