First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
microcosm
noun mi·cro·cosm \ˈmī-krə-ˌkä-zəm\
: something (such as a place or an event) that is seen as a small version of something much larger
Full Definition of MICROCOSM
1
: a little world; especially : the human race or human nature seen as an epitome of the world or the universe
2
: a community or other unity that is an epitome of a larger unity
— mi·cro·cos·mic \ˌmī-krə-ˈkäz-mik\ adjective
— mi·cro·cos·mi·cal·ly \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
— in microcosm
: in a greatly diminished size, form, or scale
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Origin of MICROCOSM
Middle English, from Medieval Latin microcosmus, modification of Greek mikros kosmos
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