epidemic
[ˌep.ɪ'dem.ɪk] noun
DISEASE 疾病
countable
■the appearance of a particular disease in a large number of people at the same time （疾病的）流行，传染•a flu/AIDS epidemic流感的传播／爱滋病的流行
[ˌep.ɪ'dem.ɪk] noun
PROBLEM 问题
countable usually singular
■a particular problem that seriously affects many people at the same time 泛滥；蔓延•a crime/unemployment epidemic犯罪频发／大范围失业
[ˌep.ɪ'dem.ɪk] adjective
■happening a lot and affecting many people 流行的；盛行的；肆虐的•Poverty in this country has reached epidemic proportions.这个国家很多人处于贫困之中。 •Crime and poverty are epidemic in the city.犯罪和贫穷如瘟疫一般在这个城市肆虐。 |