Pandemic vs. Endemic

One word that we keep hearing a lot lately thanks to the Avian Flu scare is pandemic. As I told my friend Giri the other day, it sounds very similar to endemic, but has a nearly opposite meaning. But, I made a mental note right then to verify my knowledge, and to learn more about it. So, here we go..

Here are a few definitions of endemic:

• noun: a plant that is native to a certain limited area (Example: "It is an endemic found only this island")
• noun: a disease that is constantly present to a greater or lesser degree in people of a certain class or in people living in a particular location
• adjective: of or relating to a disease (or anything resembling a disease) constantly present to greater or lesser extent in a particular locality (Example: "Diseases endemic to the tropics")
• adjective: native to or confined to a certain region (Example: "The islands have a number of interesting endemic species")
• adjective: originating where it is found (Example: "Endemic folkways")
  

Here are a few definitions of pandemic:

• noun: an epidemic that is geographically widespread; occurring throughout a region or even throughout the world
• adjective: epidemic over a wide geographical area (Example: "A pandemic outbreak of malaria")
• adjective: existing everywhere (Example: "Pandemic fear of nuclear war")
  

BTW, I just verified/improved my knowledge of these two words (and got the definitions above) by researching at the "Google of Dictionaries" - onelook.com. It's one of my most favorite sites - I have been using it since 1998. Instead of praising its many virtues, I just simply recommend you to pay it a visit the next time you are stumped about any word/name/acronym/etc.