endemic

¹en·dem·ic

adjective \en-ˈde-mik, in-\

Definition of ENDEMIC

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>

— en·dem·i·cal·ly \-ˈde-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— en·de·mic·i·ty \ˌen-ˌde-ˈmi-sə-tē, -də-ˈmi-\ noun

— en·de·mism \ˈen-də-ˌmi-zəm\ noun

Examples of ENDEMIC

1. <the fish is not an endemic species of the lake, and it is rapidly devouring the native trout population>
2. Divorce has become so endemic in our society that a whole lore has risen up around it: that divorce is a temporary crisis; that so many children have experienced their parents' divorce that children nowadays do not worry much about it; that in fact it makes things easier, and it is itself a mere rite of passage; that if the parents feel better, so will the children. —Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, New Republic, 6 May 2002
3. The rap performers I enjoy are those who emphasize production values, songcraft and that quality of playfulness endemic to all good pop. —Francis Davis, Atlantic, October 1993
4. Situated only 250 miles off the coast of Africa, Madagascar is biologically unique. Not only does it have a rich animal and plant life, it also houses a huge number of endemic species found nowhere else on earth. —Jim Milliot et al., Publishers Weekly, 15 May 2000

Origin of ENDEMIC

French endémique, from endémie endemic disease, from Greek endēmia action of dwelling, from endēmos endemic, from en in + dēmos people, populace — more at demagogue

First Known Use: 1759

Related to ENDEMIC

Synonyms

aboriginal, autochthonous, born, domestic, native, indigenous

Antonyms

nonindigenous, nonnative

Related Words

local, regional; original

Near Antonyms

imported, introduced, transplanted; alien, exotic, foreign, strange; expatriate, immigrant

See Synonym Discussion at native

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

Rhymes with ENDEMIC

pandemic, polemic, sachemic, systemic, totemic

²en·dem·ic

noun \en-ˈde-mik, in-\

Definition of ENDEMIC

: an organism that is restricted or peculiar to a locality or region : an endemic organism

Origin of ENDEMIC

(see ¹endemic)

First Known Use: 1926

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with ENDEMIC

pandemic, systemic