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microcosm

The definition of a microcosm is a small subset of a whole that is generally considered to be representative of the whole.

(noun)

An example of a microcosm is a small sect of the population which is surveyed in order to get an idea of the opinions of the general population.

See microcosm in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a little world; miniature universe; specif.,

man regarded as an epitome of the world
a community regarded as a miniature or epitome of the world
Ecol. a small ecosystem, as a pond

Origin: ME microcosme < ML microcosmus < LGr mikros kosmos, little world: see micro- & cosmos

Related Forms:

microcosmic adjective
microcosmically adverb

See microcosm in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A small, representative system having analogies to a larger system in constitution, configuration, or development: “He sees the auto industry as a microcosm of the U.S. itself” (William J. Hampton).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English microcosme, man as a little world

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin mīcrocosmus

Origin: , from Greek mīkros kosmos

Origin: : mīkros, small

Origin: + kosmos, world, order

Related Forms:

miˌcro·cosˈmic (-kŏzˈmĭk), miˌcro·cosˈmi·cal (-mĭ-kəl) adjective

miˌcro·cosˈmi·cal·ly adverb

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