endemic
1en·dem·ic
adj \en-ˈde-mik, in-\Definition of ENDEMIC
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: restricted or peculiar to a locality or region <endemic diseases> <an endemic species>
— en·dem·i·cal·ly \-ˈde-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
— en·de·mic·i·ty \ˌen-ˌde-ˈmi-sə-tē, -də-ˈmi-\ noun
— en·de·mism \ˈen-də-ˌmi-zəm\ noun
See Examples of ENDEMIC
- <the fish is not an endemic species of the lake, and it is rapidly devouring the native trout population>
- Divorce has become so endemic in our society that a whole lore has risen up around it: that divorce is a temporary crisis; that so many children have experienced their parents' divorce that children nowadays do not worry much about it; that in fact it makes things easier, and it is itself a mere rite of passage; that if the parents feel better, so will the children. —Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, New Republic, 6 May 2002
- The rap performers I enjoy are those who emphasize production values, songcraft and that quality of playfulness endemic to all good pop. —Francis Davis, Atlantic, October 1993
- Situated only 250 miles off the coast of Africa, Madagascar is biologically unique. Not only does it have a rich animal and plant life, it also houses a huge number of endemic species found nowhere else on earth. —Jim Milliot et al., Publishers Weekly, 15 May 2000
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Origin of ENDEMIC
French endémique, from endémie endemic disease, from Greek endēmia action of dwelling, from endēmos endemic, from en in + dēmos people, populace — more at demagogue
First Known Use: 1759
Related to ENDEMIC
Antonyms: nonindigenous, nonnative
Near Antonyms: imported, introduced, transplanted; alien, exotic, foreign, strange; expatriate, immigrant
See Synonym Discussion at native
Other Anthropology Terms
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