noun
infectious disease; plague; epidemic
Archaic term for a widespread infectious disease or plague, often used in historical or classical contexts. The kanji 疫病み is especially associated with this meaning.
古文書には、都で疫病みが流行したと記されている。
Ancient documents record that an epidemic spread in the capital.
noun
ague; intermittent fever; malarial fever
Archaic term for a fever with chills and shivering, often associated with malaria. The kanji 瘧 is specifically used for this meaning.
昔は瘧をわずらい、夏になると熱に苦しんだという。
It is said that in the past, people suffered from ague and were tormented by fever every summer.
Compound of 疫 (e, 'epidemic') + 病み (yami, 'illness'). The reading えやみ is an older form; the kanji 瘧 is a specialized character for intermittent fever.