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2epidemic noun : an epidemic outbreak esp. of disease

ep·i·de·mi·ol·o·gy noun : the study of the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population

— ep·i·de·mi·o·log·i·cal also ep·i·de·mi·o·log·ic adjective

— ep·i·de·mi·ol·o·gist noun

epi·der·mis noun : an outer layer esp. of skin

— epi·der·mal adjective

epi·du·ral adjective : administered into the space outside the membrane that envelops the spinal cord <~ anesthesia>

— epidural noun

epi·glot·tis noun : a thin plate of flexible tissue protecting the tracheal opening during swallowing

ep·i·gram noun 1 : a short often satirical poem

2 : a terse, sage, or witty often paradoxical saying

Synonyms

adage, aphorism, byword, maxim, proverb, saying—more at SAYING

ep·i·gram·mat·ic adjective : of, relating to, or resembling an epigram; also : marked by or given to the use of epigrams

Synonyms

brief, compact, compendious, concise, crisp, laconic, pithy, succinct, summary, terse—more at CONCISE

ep·i·lep·sy noun, plural -sies [ORIGIN: ultim. fr. Gk epilēpsia, fr. epilambanein to seize]

: a disorder marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden periods of diminished consciousness or by convulsions

— ep·i·lep·tic adjective or noun

ep·i·logue also ep·i·log noun 1 : a concluding section of a literary work

2 : a speech addressed to the spectators by an actor at the end of a play

epi·neph·rine noun : an adrenal hormone used medicinally esp. as a heart stimulant, a muscle relaxant, and a vasoconstrictor

epiph·a·ny noun, plural -nies 1 cap : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi to Jesus at Bethlehem

2 : a sudden striking understanding of something

epis·co·pa·cy noun, plural -cies 1 : government of a church by bishops

2 : EPISCOPATE

epis·co·pal adjective 1 : of or relating to a bishop or episcopacy

2 cap : of or relating to the Protestant Episcopal Church

Epis·co·pa·lian noun : a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church

epis·co·pate noun 1 : the rank, office, or term of a bishop

2 : a body of bishops

ep·i·sode noun [ORIGIN: Gk epeisodion, fr. epeisodios coming in besides, fr. eisodios coming in, fr. eis into + hodos road, journey]

1 : a unit of action in a dramatic or literary work

2 : an incident in a course of events : OCCURRENCE

Synonyms

affair, circumstance, event, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing—more at EVENT

ep·i·sod·ic adjective : made up of separate esp. loosely connected episodes

Synonyms

periodic, serial—more at SERIAL

epis·tle noun 1 cap : one of the letters of the New Testament

2 : a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization : LETTER; especially : a formal or elegant letter

— epis·to·lary adjective

ep·i·taph noun : an inscription in memory of a dead person

ep·i·tha·la·mi·um or ep·i·tha·la·mi·on noun, plural -mi·ums or -mia : a song or poem in honor of a bride and bridegroom

ep·i·the·li·um noun, plural -lia : a cellular membrane covering a bodily surface or lining a cavity

— ep·i·the·li·al adjective

ep·i·thet noun : a characterizing and often abusive word or phrase

epit·o·me noun 1 : a brief presentation or statement of something : ABSTRACT, SUMMARY

2 : a typical or ideal example : EMBODIMENT

Synonyms

[1] abstract, digest, encapsulation, outline, précis, recapitulation, résumé, roundup, sum, summary, synopsis—more at SUMMARY

[2] embodiment, exemplar, ideal, incarnation, manifestation, personification, quintessence—more at EMBODIMENT

epit·o·mize verb 1 : to make or give an epitome of

2 : to serve as the typical or ideal example of

Synonyms

[1] abstract, digest, encapsulate, outline, recapitulate, sum up, summarize, wrap up

[2] embody, manifest, materialize, personify—more at EMBODY

ep·och noun : a usu. extended period : ERA, AGE

— ep·och·al adjective

Synonyms

age, era, period, time

ep·onym noun 1 : one for