epidemic
noun
ˌepɪəˈdemɪk◄
noun
1
a
large
number
of
cases
of
a
disease
that
happen
at
the
same
time
流行病，传染病;
Over
500
people
died
during
last
year’s
flu
epidemic.
去年流感期间有 500 多人死亡。
[+
of
]
an
epidemic
of
cholera
霍乱的流行
2
a
sudden
increase
in
the
number
of
times
that
something
bad
happens
〔坏事的〕发生次数陡增，频率突增
[+
of
]
Britain
is
suffering
an
epidemic
of
petty
crime.
英国现在频频发生轻度犯罪活动。
Violent
crime
is
reaching
epidemic
proportions
in
some
cities.
有些城市的暴力罪行几近泛滥。