n.
Pronunciation: ˌ e-p ə -z ə - ˌ wä-t ē - ' ä-l ə -j ē , -z ō - ˌ ä-
Function: noun
Date: 1910
1 : the sum of the factors controlling the occurrence of a disease or pathogen of animals
2 : a science that deals with the character, ecology, and causes of outbreaks of animal diseases
– epi · zo · ot · i · o · log · i · cal \ -t ē - ə - ' lä-ji-k ə l \ also epi · zo · ot · i · o · log · ic \ -jik \ adjective