What does "epizootic" mean?
An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population of non-human animals at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period.
Epizootic
/ɛpɪ.zəˈwɒtɪk/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population of non-human animals at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period.
- Grammar: epizootic is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: black death, catching, communicable, contagious.
- Useful contrasts: enzootic.
- Usage evidence: At the same time as an epidemic of the flu broke out among the people, an epizootic of the swine flu broke out among their pigs.
How to use "epizootic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "epizootic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "epizootic" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "epizootic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "epizootic" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "epizootic" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "black death" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "epizootic", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population of non-human animals at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period.
"At the same time as an epidemic of the flu broke out among the people, an epizootic of the swine flu broke out among their pigs."
- 2 A particular epizootic disease.
"A surgeon in the town has also informed me, that a person requested him to prescribe for some lambs affected with the epizootic, and he gave them Epsom salts and opium, with, as he said, very good effect."
- 3 A disease or ailment (of humans). dialectal, humorous, in-plural, often
"Johnny's not doing so well today, I think he caught the epizootic."
Adjective
- 1 Like or having to do with an epizootic: a widespread outbreak of disease among nonhuman animals.
"Epizootic plague occurred in the mice following introduction of rats from Europe."
- 2 Containing fossils. rare
"Hence their primary division is into primeval and secondary or Epizootic. And the epizootic mountains are still farther distinguishable into original and derivative."
- 3 Relating to epizoa; epizoic.
Adjective
- 1 (of animals) epidemic among animals of a single kind within a particular region wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"At the same time as an epidemic of the flu broke out among the people, an epizootic of the swine flu broke out among their pigs."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "epizootic"?
Common synonyms include: black death, catching, communicable, contagious, disease, endemic.
How do you use "epizootic" in a sentence?
At the same time as an epidemic of the flu broke out among the people, an epizootic of the swine flu broke out among their pigs.
How do you pronounce "epizootic"?
Pronounced /ɛpɪ.zəˈwɒtɪk/.
Etymology
From French épizootique, animal equivalent of epidemic, from épizootie, irregularly formed from Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí) + ζῷον (zōîon, “animal”). By surface analysis, epi- + zo- + -otic. Use of the word in the second sense, "an ailment", was likely originally a reference to a particular epizootic ailment. Both senses are attested since at least the 1800s, and the pronunciation with five syllables is explicitly attested since then as well. Dialectal pronunciation of the second sense with four syllables is attested since at least the 1910s in spellings like "epizudic" and is suggested by 1870s references to a shortened form of the word, "zooty".