What does "epidemic" mean?

Epidemic: Spreading widely, or generally prevailing; affecting great numbers, as an epidemic does; as, epidemic rage; an epidemic evil. It was the epidemical sin of the nation. Bp. Burnet.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Med.) An epidemic disease.
  2. 3.Anything which takes possession of the minds of people as an epidemic does of their bodies; as, an epidemic of terror.

Sources