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Endemic

present or usually prevalent in a population or geographical area at all times, said of a disease or agent.

Synonym: endemial.

Compare: epidemic.

Origin: gr. Endemos = dwelling in a place 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.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.A plant that is native to a certain limited area; it is an endemic found only this island.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.Native to or confined to a certain region; the islands have a number of interesting endemic species.Relating to a particular geographic area, such as the red squirrel population which is endemic to the North of Scotland.