adj. 1. Prevalent in a particular locality, region, or population: endemic diseases of the tropics. 2. Native only to a particular locality or region: endemic birds. 3. Common in or inherent to an enterprise or situation: "All the difficulties endemic to historical research become more acute in the case of war" (Constantine Pleshakov). n. 1. An organism that is native only to a particular locality or region. 2. A disease that is prevalent in a particular locality, region, or population. [From Greek endēmos, native, endemic : en-, in; see EN-2 + dēmos, people; see dā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] en·demi·cal·ly adv. en·demism n. |
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