Microcosm

Microcosm
Microcosm Mi"cro*cosm, n. [F. microcosme, L. microcosmus, fr. Gr. mikro`s small + ko`smos the world.] 1. A little world; a miniature universe. Hence (so called by Paracelsus), a man, as a supposed epitome of the exterior universe or great world. Opposed to {macrocosm}. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. A relatively small object or system considered as representative of a larger system of which it is part, exhibiting many features of the complete system. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • MICROCOSM — (from Gr. mikros kosmos; small world ), term in the Western philosophical tradition referring to man as an epitome of the universe (the macrocos) in his parts and structure. The Arabic (ʿālam ṣaghīr), Hebrew (olam katan), and Latin (mundis minor) …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Microcosm — may refer to: Macrocosm and microcosm, a philosophical idea Microcosm (CERN), a museum near Geneva, Switzerland Microcosm (video game), a 1993 shoot em up by Psygnosis Microcosm Ltd, a UK software protection company Microcosm (clock), a unique… …   Wikipedia

  • microcosm — MICROCÓSM, (rar) microcosmuri, s.n. (livr.) Reprezentare redusă a Universului. ♦ Omul, considerat ca o reprezentare redusă a Universului; lumea interioară a omului. [var.: microcósmos s.n.] – Din fr. microcosme, lat. microcosmus. Trimis de… …   Dicționar Român

  • microcosm — (n.) c.1200, mycrocossmos (modern form from early 15c.), human nature, man viewed as the epitome of creation, lit. miniature world, from M.Fr. microcosme and in earliest use directly from M.L. microcosmus, from Gk. mikros small (see MICA (Cf.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • microcosm — ► NOUN 1) a thing regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristics of something much larger. 2) humankind regarded as the epitome of the universe. DERIVATIVES microcosmic adjective. ORIGIN from Greek mikros kosmos little world …   English terms dictionary

  • microcosm — [mī′krō kä΄zəm] n. [ME microcosme < ML microcosmus < LGr mikros kosmos, little world: see MICRO & COSMOS] a little world; miniature universe; specif., a) man regarded as an epitome of the world b) a community regarded as a miniature or… …   English World dictionary

  • Microcosm —  Pour l’article homonyme, voir Microcosm (jeu vidéo).  Microcosm Informations géographiques …   Wikipédia en Français

  • microcosm — n. in microcosm (the whole nation in microcosm) * * * in microcosm (the whole nation in microcosm) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • microcosm — mi|cro|cos|m [ˈmaıkrəukɔzəm US krouka: ] n [Date: 1100 1200; : Medieval Latin; Origin: microcosmus, from Greek mikros kosmos small world ] a small group, society, or place that has the same qualities as a much larger one →↑macrocosm microcosm of… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • microcosm — UK [ˈmaɪkrəʊˌkɒz(ə)m] / US [ˈmaɪkrəˌkɑzəm] noun [countable] Word forms microcosm : singular microcosm plural microcosms formal something small that contains or represents all the features or qualities of something larger microcosm of: The village …   English dictionary

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