Main Entry: ¹en·dem·ic

Pronunciation: \en-ˈde-mik, in-\

Function: adjective

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

Date: 1759

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>

synonyms see native

— 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