A disease or condition that spreads rapidly through a population or community, affecting many people at the same time.
From Greek 'epi' (upon) and 'demos' (people), literally meaning 'upon the people.' The term evolved in Medieval Latin as 'epidemia' and entered English in the 16th century to describe widespread disease outbreaks affecting entire populations.
The word 'epidemic' comes from the same root as 'epidemy,' but epidemy is an older, rarer form that reminds us how medical terminology has changed over centuries—doctors used to say 'epidemy' where we now say 'epidemic,' showing how language simplifies over time.
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