All 3 Uses

epidemic
in
Moby Dick
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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

Definitions:

(1) (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
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)