of or relating to a disease (or anything resembling a disease) constantly present to greater or lesser extent in a particular locality; diseases endemic to the tropics; endemic malaria; food shortages and starvation are endemic in certain parts of the world

[ Syn: endemical , endemical ]

native to or confined to a certain region; the islands have a number of interesting endemic species'

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

[ Syn: endemic disease ]

a plant that is native to a certain limited area; it is an endemic found only this island'

originating where it is found; the autochthonal fauna of Australia includes the kangaroo; autochthonous rocks and people and folktales; endemic folkways; the Ainu are indigenous to the northernmost islands of Japan

[ Syn: autochthonal , autochthonic , autochthonous , indigenous ]