endemic

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Antonyms 1.3.4 Related terms 1.3.5 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἐν (en), “‘in’”) + δῆμος (dēmos), “‘people’”). Possibly via ἔνδημος (endēmos) and/or French endémique.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP, US) IPA: /ɛnˈdɛm.ɪk/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɛmɪk

[edit] Adjective

endemic (not comparable)

1. Native to a particular area or culture; originating where it occurs.

   Kangaroos are endemic to Australia.

2. Peculiar to a particular area or region; not found in other places.

   The endemic religion of Easter Island arrived with the Polynesian settlers.

   • 1998, Gillian Catriona Ramchand, Deconstructing the Lexicon, in Miriam Butt and Wilhelm Geuder, eds. “The Projection of Arguments”

     These problems are endemic to the theory of thematic roles as currently conceived, because the classification it implies simply does not correspond to legitimate linguistic semantic definitions.

3. Prevalent in a particular area or region.

   Malaria is endemic to the tropics.

[edit] Usage notes

An endemic disease is one which is constantly present in a given area, though usually at low levels, whereas an epidemic is widespread and has a high incidence. A sporadic disease occurs now and then at low levels.

• For examples of the usage of this term see the citations page.

[edit] Synonyms

• (native to a particular area): native
• (peculiar to a particular area): indigenous

[edit] Antonyms

• (native to a particular area): alien, introduced

[edit] Related terms

• endemically
• endemism

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

endemic (plural endemics)

1. An individual or species that is endemic to a region.

   California’s flora includes many endemics.

[edit] Translations