a. Also 7 epidimicall. [f. prec. + -AL.]
1. Of diseases: of an epidemic character.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., Democr. (1676), 35/1. Cure us of our Epidemical diseases.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric. (1681), 297. Still and quiet Summers being the most unwholsom, and subject to Pestilential and Epidemical Diseases.
1728. Morgan, Algiers, I. iv. 98. Their [Camels’] Epidemical Distemper is the Mange.
1751. Phil. Trans., XLVII. lxiii. 385. The plague … has been mostly sporadic, seldom epidemical.
1816. F. H. Naylor, Hist. Germany, II. xxii. 316. An epidemical malady had raged among the cattle.
1881. Sat. Rev., 5 Feb., 172. Colds were epidemical; there were choruses of coughing.
fig. a. 1640. Jackson, Wks., II. 380. This hypocrisie … epidemical to this nation.
c. 1680. in Somers, Tracts, II. 321. Let such a Prince beware of epidemical Discontents.
1720. Welton, Suffer. Son of God, I. vi. 107. Those Vices which are most Prevalent and Epidemical In The World.
1780. Cowper, Lett., 5 Oct. That bashful and awkward restraint, so epidemical among the youth of our country.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages (1872), I. 35. Every means was used to excite an epidemical frenzy.
b. Pertaining to, characterized by an epidemic or epidemics.
1798. Malthus, Popul. (1817), II. 186. The common epidemical years which are interspersed throughout these tables.
† 2. General, prevalent, universal; that is to be found everywhere; = EPIDEMIC A. 2. arch. or Obs.
1628. Pym, Sp., in Rushw., Hist. Coll. (1659), I. 600. Wedded to the love of epidemical and popular errors.
a. 1658. Cleveland, Rebel Scot, iii. Scotland ’s a Nation Epidemical.
1774. J. Bryant, Mythol., I. 131, note. He had great knowledge; yet could not help giving way to this epidemical weakness.
1836. Sparks, Biog., Mather, VI. vii. 329. Contrary to the epidemical expectation of the country.
† b. nonce-use. ? Belonging to the whole people.
1642. Howell, For. Trav. (Arb.), 76. That great Epidemicall Counsell [Parliament] wherein every one from the Peere to the Plebeian hath an inclusive Vote.
3. quasi-sb. pl. rare–1. Epidemical diseases.
1802. Med. Jrnl., VIII. 281. What candour and ability in his History of Epidemicals!
Hence Epidemically adv., in an epidemic manner: a. like an epidemic disease; b. in a widespread manner, generally, universally. Epidemicalness, the state of being epidemic.
1641. Frogs of Egypt, 2. They were heretofore so Epidemically strict.
1657. G. Starkey, Helmont’s Vind., 29. The disease was epidemically malignant.
a. 1691. Boyle, Wks., VI. 372. An ingredient should be generally friendly, before it be entertained epidemically in our daily diet.
1845. Stocqueler, Handbk. Brit. India (1854), 380. Cholera and small-pox generally make their appearance epidemically once or twice a year.
1646. W. Price, Mans Delinquencie, 4. The Epidemicalnesse and spreading universality [of iniquities and trespasses].
