micro

¹

[ mahy-kroh ]

adjective

1. extremely small.
2. minute in scope or capability.
3. of or relating to microcomputers.
4. of or relating to microeconomics.

noun

, plural mi·cros.

1. anything extremely small in scope or capability.
2. a microcomputer.
3. microeconomics.

micro-

²

1. a combining form with the meanings “small” ( microcosm; microgamete ), “very small in comparison with others of its kind” ( microcassette; microlith ), “too small to be seen by the unaided eye” ( microfossil; microorganism ), “dealing with extremely minute organisms, organic structures, or quantities of a substance” ( microdissection; microscope ), “localized, restricted in scope or area” ( microburst; microhabitat ), “(of a discipline) focusing on a restricted area” ( microeconomics ), “containing or dealing with texts that require enlargement to be read” ( microfilm; microreader ), “one millionth” ( microgram ).

micro-

¹

combining_form

1. small or minute

   microspore

2. involving the use of a microscope

   micrography

3. indicating a method or instrument for dealing with small quantities

   micrometer

4. (in pathology) indicating abnormal smallness or underdevelopment Compare macro-

   microcyte

   microcephaly

5. denoting 10 ^–6 μ

   microsecond

micro

²

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊ /

adjective

1. very small

noun

1. short for microcomputer microlepidoptera microprocessor microwave oven

micro–

1. A prefix that means: “small” (as in microorganism ) or “one millionth” (as in microsecond ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of micro¹

Independent use of micro-, or shortening of words with this initial element

Origin of micro²

< Greek: combining form representing mīkrós small

Word History and Origins

Origin of micro¹

from Greek mikros small

Example Sentences

Each sack makes around 700 standard cups of coffee, if you were wondering—so even micro-roasters go through a couple of them a week.

From Popular-Science

The actual cortisol levels are between 0 and 1 micro-grams per deciliter.

From Science News For Students

I think at the macro level and the micro level, we need to release ourselves from these devilish tools that tie us to very short-term-ist calculations.

From Freakonomics

These tests showed the micro-barbs could successfully deliver medicines made from different sized molecules.

From Science News For Students

After the learning experiment, the team scanned each bee with a micro-CT scanner.

From Science News For Students

This sense of vulnerability is, of course, even more acute in micro-states like Jamaica.

From The Daily Beast

But as in the U.S. it also reflects the move from industrial-scale brewing to micro-brewings.

From The Daily Beast

There is certainly a lucrative yet dignified sweet spot between small time micro-brewer and soulless mass-producer.

From The Daily Beast

Even in the smallest of Indian locales, the divisions of geography and nationalism are played out on a micro scale.

From The Daily Beast

MacGregor convinced many to invest in, and hundreds to even move to, his fictional micro-nation.

From The Daily Beast

It is probably caused by two micro-organisms living in symbiosis—one a fusiform bacillus, the other a long spirillum (Fig. 124).

From Project Gutenberg

Upon ulcerated surfaces it is often mingled with other spiral micro-organisms, which adds to the difficulty of its detection.

From Project Gutenberg

He watched as Arnold conferred with a group of his techs about a micro-chron, and the time was carefully noted for Central Record.

From Project Gutenberg

Albert selected all the incriminating letters and documents he could find and packed the micro-files in his jacket.

From Project Gutenberg

Pathological micro-organisms have very complicated products which are in large part poisonous.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• compact
• mini
• pocket
• pocket-size
• portable
• scaled-down
• small