epidemicus

Forms

epidēmicus (feminine epidēmica, neuter epidēmicum); first/second-declension adjective^[1] Medieval spellings include effidemicus and epidimicus.^[2][1]

Etymology

It is from Latin epidēmia + -icus.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first appears in the second half of the 12th century,^[1] in Maurus' commentary on the Hippocratic Prognostics, where it renders a form of Ancient Greek ἐπιδημέω (epidēméō) and is explained as “long” illnesses; the MLW gives the sense widespread, rampant.^[2]

Semantic evolution

In British sources it is found in Gerald of Wales.^[3] Neo-Latin writers such as Francis Bacon and William Camden use it of contagions and, figuratively, of a sickness of minds that spreads widely.^[4]

Timeline

• 2nd half of the 12th century – Maurus uses it in his commentary on Hippocrates.^[2][1]
• 1580 – William Camden writes of an epidemica contagio in his annals for that year.^[4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Widespread, rampant, epidemic.^[2][3][4]

Related words

• English epidemic

References

1. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
3. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de