outbreak
/ˈaʊtbɹeɪk/ noun B2- An eruption; the sudden appearance of a rash, disease, etc. · Any epidemic outbreak causes understandable panic.
- A sudden increase. · There has been an outbreak of vandalism at the school.
- An outburst or sudden eruption, especially of violence and mischief. · There has been an outbreak of broken windows in the street.
- Synonym of breakout (“escape from prison”).
Plural outbreaks
From the library
Prior to Bazalgette's brilliant intervention, recurrent outbreaks of cholera had repeatedly devastated the city, thriving in the deplorable sanitary conditions of early industrialization.
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