Word
microcosm
Phoneticsmi·cro·cosm
US/ˈmaɪkɹəˌkɑzəm/
UK/mˈaɪkɹəʊkˌɒzəm/
Definition
n. a small part of something that represents the whole. It is like a tiny version of a larger world or system.
n. a small community or set of objects viewed as a representation of a larger whole. Often used in ecological or sociological contexts to describe a miniature environment.
Examples
“The small pond is a microcosm of the local ecosystem.”
“The small village serves as a microcosm of the country's diverse cultures and traditions.”
“In the study of urban sociology, a single neighborhood can act as a microcosm of the broader city's economic and social challenges.”
Examples
simple
“The small pond is a microcosm of the local ecosystem.”
contextual
“The small village serves as a microcosm of the country's diverse cultures and traditions.”
complex
“In the study of urban sociology, a single neighborhood can act as a microcosm of the broader city's economic and social challenges.”
Real-World Examples
“Despite this, Syria serves as a microcosm of Turkiye and Israel’s visions of the regional order.” “Here, in microcosm, is the story of virtually all midfield recruits by United for a generation.” Etymology
From French microcosme, from Latin microcosmus, from Ancient Greek μικρός (mikrós, “small”) + κόσμος (kósmos, “universe, order”); micro- + -cosm.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/microcosm