Endemic Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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endemic
[ษnหdษmษชk ]
Definitions
biology
Native or restricted to a certain country or area. Endemic species are unique to a specific location and are not found anywhere else in the world.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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endemic |
This word is used to describe something, usually a disease or a condition, that is regularly found among particular people or in a certain area. It can also refer to plants and animals regularly found in a specific place.
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indigenous |
Indigenous refers to people, plants, or animals that are native to a particular place, especially those that have not been brought from elsewhere. It has a strong cultural and historical connotation.
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native |
Native pertains to someone or something that originates from, or belongs to, a particular place rather than coming from somewhere else. It can have both cultural and geographical nuances.
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local |
Local is used to describe someone or something that belongs to or is connected with the particular area you are talking about.
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Examples of usage
- The Galapagos Islands are home to many endemic species.
- The koala is an endemic animal of Australia.
medicine
An endemic disease or condition is regularly found among particular people or in a certain area. It is constantly present and not necessarily harmful.
Synonyms
common, prevalent, widespread.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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endemic |
Used when referring to something (typically diseases or species) that is regularly found and confined to a particular geographic area or environment.
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prevalent |
Best suited for discussing a situation, condition, or trend that is widespread or frequently occurring in a particular area or among a group of people.
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common |
Appropriate when describing something that is frequently encountered, known, or not rare. Can be used for both positive and negative scenarios.
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widespread |
Helpful when talking about something that is distributed over a large area or affects a large number of individuals. Often implies a significant impact or scope.
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Examples of usage
- Malaria is an endemic disease in some tropical regions.
- The flu is considered an endemic illness in many countries.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Biodiversity
- Endemic species are crucial to their ecosystems because they often play specialized roles.
- Islands, like Madagascar and Hawaii, are famous for their high number of endemic species due to isolation.
Conservation
- Many endemic species are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species.
- Conservation efforts focus on protecting endemic species to maintain biodiversity and ecological health.
Geography
- Regions with diverse climates and ecosystems, such as the Amazon rainforest, tend to have a higher number of endemic species.
- Endemic plants and animals can help scientists understand environmental changes over time.
Human Impact
- Human activities like urbanization can disrupt habitats where endemic species thrive, leading to a decline in their populations.
- Sustainable practices are encouraged to protect areas where endemic species are found against exploitation.
Origin of 'endemic'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'endemic' comes from the Greek word 'endemos', meaning 'native' or 'in one place'.
- It was first used in a scientific context in the 19th century to describe species unique to particular regions.
The word 'endemic' comes from the Greek word 'endฤmos', which is a combination of 'en', meaning 'in', and 'dฤmos', meaning 'people'. It was initially used in the field of medicine to describe diseases that were constantly present in certain populations. Over time, the term has been adopted in various fields, including biology, to refer to species that are unique to specific regions.
See also: end, endeavor, ending, endless, endlessly, endpoint, unending.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranked #10,846, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.
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- 10843 accomplishing
- 10844 gypsum
- 10845 tilt
- 10846 endemic
- 10847 sinful
- 10848 courageous
- 10849 grossly
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