Word of the Day: ENDEMIC

Native or indigenous.

endemic (adj) - native to a particular area or culture; not found in other places [en-dem-ik]

BREAKDOWN: EN- (in) + DEM- (people) + -IC (pertaining to)

• endemic as a noun describes a species belonging exclusively a particular place

• endemism refers to the ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographic location

• paleoendemic refers to ancient relict species that were once widespread but are now restricted

• neoendemic refers to recently evolved species that have not yet dispersed from their restricted place of origin

See also: demagogue

“If anything is endemic to Wyoming, it is wind. This big room of space is swept out daily, leaving a bone yard of fossils, agates, and carcasses in every stage of decay. Though it was water that initially shaped the state, wind is the meticulous gardener, raising dust and pruning the sage.” —Gretel Ehrlich