what's the difference in meaning of the words 'endemic' and 'indigenous'?

Answer 1

Endemic is peculiar to a certain group of people as a disesase and indigenous is a characteristic of a group from a region or country.

So an a unibrow might me indigenous but a blood disorder that causes early death might be endemic. (At least that is how I am interpretting webster)

Answer 2

Endemic :Prevalent in or peculiar to a particular locality, region, or people: diseases endemic to the tropics. Synonyms : native.
Indigenous :Originating and living or occurring naturally in an area or environment. Synonyms :native.
The synonyms for both the terms are same i.e. native.

There is a practical difference in the usage of these words. Endemic is a word normally used for the occurrence of the disease. It has no relation to the origin. On the other hand indigenous refers to the origin of an event, say population or technology, some practices , culture etc.

Answer 3

Something indigenous grew here, or assumed its present character while being in this place. It's akin to the little-used word autochthonous.

Something endemic just happens to be common here right now.

And there are no "Black Irish."

Answer 4

ENDEMIC
belonging exclusively or confined to a particular place: a fever endemic to the tropics.

INDIGENOUS
innate; inherent; natural (usually fol. by to): feelings indigenous to human beings.

endemic is something confined to a certain spot, indigenous is something inherited so it can move locations

Answer 5

Endemic: is "belonging" or "native to", "characteristic of", or "prevalent in".

Indigenous: objects and people with origins in particular location,specifically peoples.