macrocosm

American  

[mak-ruh-koz-uhm] / ˈmæk rəˌkɒz əm /

noun

1. the great world or universe; the universe considered as a whole (opposed to microcosm).

2. the total or entire complex structure of something.

   the macrocosm of war.

3. a representation of a smaller unit or entity by a larger one, presumably of a similar structure.

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macrocosm British  

/ ˈmækrəˌkɒzəm /

noun

1. a complex structure, such as the universe or society, regarded as an entirety, as opposed to microcosms, which have a similar structure and are contained within it

2. any complex entity regarded as a complete system in itself

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macrocosm Cultural  

1. A representation of something on a much larger scale. (Compare microcosm.)

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Other Word Forms

• macrocosmic
  adjective
• macrocosmically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of macrocosm

1590–1600; < French macrocosme < Medieval Latin macrocosmus. See macro-, cosmos

Explanation

The macrocosm is everything that exists: it's another word for the universe or cosmos. If you know that micro means "small" and macro means "large," that can help you remember the meaning of this word: the macrocosm is the largest thing there is, since it's a word for everything in existence. Macrocosm is also used to talk about the big picture versus the little picture (the microcosm).

Example Sentences

From the cipher of the Macrocosm Faust turns to that of the Earth-spirit, the spirit of human life and feeling.

From The Faust-Legend and Goethe's 'Faust' by Cotterill, H. B. (Henry Bernard)

We must come back to the old teaching, that the Macrocosm is reproduced in the Microcosm, with the further perception that this identity of principle can only be produced by identity of cause.

From The Law and the Word by Troward, T. (Thomas)

From the cipher of the vast material universe, the Macrocosm, we turn away, as Faust did, with unsatisfied yearnings.

From The Faust-Legend and Goethe's 'Faust' by Cotterill, H. B. (Henry Bernard)

Adam Kadmon, containing all the Causates of the First Cause, is a Macrocosm, 760-m.

From Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Pike, Albert

Macrocosm, mak′ro-kozm, n. the great world: the whole universe:—opp. to Microcosm.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various