Background for epidemics
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epidemics

/ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪks/ /ˌiːpɪˈdɛmɪks/

Meanings
noun
A widespread disease that affects many individuals in a population.

Examples :

"During the Middle Ages, Europe suffered through several devastating epidemics of the bubonic plague. "
medicine disease virus biology microorganism disaster science society

Related Words

Illustration disorder

disorder noun

/dɪsˈɔːdə(ɹ)/ /dɪsˈɔːɹdɚ/

Absence of order; state of not being arranged in an orderly manner.

"After playing the children left the room in disorder."

Illustration widespread

widespread adjective

/ˈwaɪdˌsprɛd/

Affecting a large area (e.g. the entire land or body); broad in extent; widely diffused.

"The flu was widespread throughout the school, with many students absent. "

Illustration through

through noun

/θɹuː/ /θɹu/

A large slab of stone laid in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.

"The dry-stone wall used a large, flat through to support the top stones. "

Illustration devastating

devastating verb

/ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/ /ˈdevəˌsteɪtɪŋ/

To ruin many or all things over a large area, such as most or all buildings of a city, or cities of a region, or trees of a forest.

"The storm devastated the entire city, leaving most buildings in ruins. "

Illustration frequency

frequency noun

/ˈfɹiːkwənsi/

The rate of occurrence of anything; the relationship between incidence and time period.

"The frequency of bus service has been improved from one every 15 to one every 12 minutes."

Illustration individuals

individuals noun

/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlz/

A person considered alone, rather than as belonging to a group of people.

"He is an unusual individual."

Illustration suffered

suffered verb

/ˈsʌfəd/ /ˈsʌfɚd/

To undergo hardship.

"Is anyone here afraid of suffering hardship?"

Illustration affects

affects verb

/əˈfekts/ /ˈæfekts/

To influence or alter.

"The experience affected me deeply."

Illustration occurrence

occurrence noun

/əˈkɐɹən(t)s/ /əˈkəːɹən(t)s/ /əˈkɝən(t)s/

An actual instance when a situation occurs; an event or happening.

"The frequent occurrence of noisy construction near my house has made it hard to concentrate on my studies. "

Illustration disease

disease noun

/dɪˈziːz/ /dɪˈziz/

An abnormal condition of a human, animal or plant that causes discomfort or dysfunction; distinct from injury insofar as the latter is usually instantaneously acquired.

"The tomato plants had some kind of disease that left their leaves splotchy and fruit withered."

Illustration population

population noun

/ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən/ /pɒpjuːˈleɪʃən/

The people living within a political or geographical boundary.

"The population of New Jersey will not stand for this!"

Illustration expected

expected verb

/ɪksˈpɛktɪd/

To predict or believe that something will happen

"He never expected to be discovered."