noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to a widespread outbreak of a serious infectious disease. Often used in historical or formal contexts, but still understood in modern Japanese.
In medieval Europe, epidemics broke out many times.
Quarantine measures were taken to prevent the spread of the plague.
Compound of 悪 (aku, 'bad, evil') and 疫 (eki, 'epidemic, plague'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination straightforwardly conveys a virulent epidemic.