epidemic

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epi|dem|ic /'epɪd'emɪk/ (epidemics)
1 [N-COUNT] oft n N, N of n
If there is an epidemic of a particular disease somewhere, it affects a very large number of people there and spreads quickly to other areas.
A flu epidemic is sweeping through Moscow.
...a killer epidemic of yellow fever.
2 [N-COUNT] with supp, oft N of n
If an activity that you disapprove of is increasing or spreading rapidly, you can refer to this as an epidemic of that activity.
...an epidemic of serial killings...
Drug experts say it could spell the end of the crack epidemic.

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