endemic meaning and definition

ENDEMIC noun

Definition of endemic (noun)

1. a disease that is constantly present to a greater or lesser degree in people of a certain class or in people living in a particular location
   • synonyms: endemic disease
2. a plant that is native to a certain limited area
   • "it is an endemic found only this island"

ENDEMIC adjective

Definition of endemic (adjective)

1. of or relating to a disease (or anything resembling a disease) constantly present to greater or lesser extent in a particular locality
   • "diseases endemic to the tropics"; "endemic malaria"; "food shortages and starvation are endemic in certain parts of the world"
   • synonyms: endemical
   • antonym: epidemic
2. native to or confined to a certain region
   • "the islands have a number of interesting endemic species"
   • antonym: cosmopolitan
3. originating where it is found
   • "the autochthonal fauna of Australia includes the kangaroo"; "autochthonous rocks and people and folktales"; "endemic folkways"; "the Ainu are indigenous to the northernmost islands of Japan"
   • synonyms: autochthonal, autochthonic, autochthonous, indigenous