Reading Theme:
Epidemic: Definition, Usage, and Examples
Meaning 1：prevalent (epidemic)
epidemic
/ˌepɪˈdemɪk/
adj.
It describes a disease that spreads quickly and widely among many people in a community at the same time.
prevalent
➕
/ˈprɛvələnt/
adj.
Describes something, especially a disease, that is actively spreading and affecting a large number of individuals within a population at a given time.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Greek 'epi-' (among) + 'demos' (people), meaning 'prevalent among the people'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: Every Person In DEMIcracy (DEMI) got the disease, showing it's widespread.
📖 Example
After the heavy rains, the epidemic spread of mosquito-borne diseases worried local health officials.
Following significant rainfall, the rapid and widespread transmission of mosquito-borne illnesses became a major concern for regional health authorities.
🔗 Collocations
reach epidemic proportions – to become very widespread, like an epidemic
epidemic levels – the degree or scale of something's prevalence, comparable to an epidemic
epidemic outbreak – the sudden, widespread occurrence of a disease
🔄 Synonyms
prevalent (adj.) – widespread in a particular area or at a particular time
rampant (adj.) – spreading unchecked in an uncontrollable manner
widespread (adj.) – found or distributed over a large area or among many people
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
epidemic (n.) – a widespread occurrence of a disease in a community at a particular time
epidemically (adv.) – in the manner of an epidemic; spreading rapidly
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from the Greek 'epidemios', describing something that is 'among the people'. It entered English via Late Latin in the 17th century to specifically denote diseases affecting a large population simultaneously.
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