DVOC April 15, 2004
Definition of “Endemic”
•Pronunciation: en-'de-mik, in-
Function: adjective
Etymology: French endémique, from endémie endemic disease, from Greek endEmia action of dwelling, from endEmos endemic, from en in + dEmos people, populace
•1 a : belonging or native to a particular people or country b : characteristic of or prevalent in a particular field, area, or environment <problems endemic to translation> <the self-indulgence endemic in the film industry>
•2 : restricted or peculiar to a locality or region <endemic diseases> <an endemic species>
synonym see NATIVE
- en·dem·i·cal·ly /-'de-mi-k(&-)lE/ adverb
- en·de·mic·i·ty /"en-"de-'mi-s&-tE, -d&-'mi-/ noun
- en·de·mism /'en-d&-"mi-z&m/ noun