All 3 Uses of
epidemic
in
Moby Dick
- It turned out that the Jeroboam had a malignant epidemic on board, and that Mayhew, her captain, was fearful of infecting the Pequod's company.†
Chpt 70-72 *
- The consequence of all this was, that the archangel cared little or nothing for the captain and mates; and since the epidemic had broken out, he carried a higher hand than ever; declaring that the plague, as he called it, was at his sole command; nor should it be stayed but according to his good pleasure.†
Chpt 70-72
- "I fear not thy epidemic, man," said Ahab from the bulwarks, to Captain Mayhew, who stood in the boat's stern; "come on board."†
Chpt 70-72
Definition:
-
(epidemic) a widespread outbreak of a disease that is passed from one person (or other organism) to another
or more rarely: anything that spreads quickly -- especially something bad