endemic
UK: enˈdemɪk | US: enˈdemɪk
adj. (of a disease or condition) regularly found among particular people or in a certain area
adj. (of a plant or animal) native or restricted to a specific region
n. a disease or organism that is endemic to a region
endemic = en<in> + dem<people> + ic<adjective suffix>
- en (from Greek en, meaning "in")
- dem (from Greek demos, meaning "people" or "population")
- ic (adjective-forming suffix, indicating "pertaining to")
Etymology Origin:
The word endemic traces back to Greek endēmos, combining en ("in") and dēmos ("people"). Originally used in medical contexts to describe diseases confined to specific populations or regions, it later expanded to ecology, describing species native to particular areas. The logic reflects containment (en) within a defined group (demos), contrasting with epidemic (widespread) or pandemic (global).
Malaria is endemic in tropical regions.
The koala is endemic to Australia.
Efforts to control the endemic disease have improved local health outcomes.
This plant species is endemic and cannot be found elsewhere.
The biologist studied endemic wildlife in the island ecosystem.