micro

[mahy-kroh] /ˈmaɪ kroʊ/
adjective
1.
extremely small.
2.
minute in scope or capability.
3.
of or pertaining to microcomputers.
4.
of or pertaining to microeconomics.
noun, plural micros.
5.
anything extremely small in scope or capability.
6.
a microcomputer.
7.
microeconomics.
Origin
independent use of micro-, or shortening of words with this initial element

micro-

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).
Also, especially before a vowel, micr-.
Origin
< Greek: combining form representing mīkrós small
Can be confused
macro-, micro-.
Examples from the web for micro
  • Instead the hottest economic-model-making now began on micro foundations.
  • The more consistent macro is with micro, the more solid it will be, even if the micro variables are arbitrary.
  • Everybody's talking about micro fuel cells and their potential, but there are no actual products.
  • And as long as they ignore the facts of micro economics, they will prescribe the wrong solutions.
  • Pills would be popped only to turn the micro factories on or off.
  • The micro-distilling craze gets even more micro with limited-edition booze infused with geek concentrate.
  • There are no disagreements in micro and thousands in macro.
  • micro theorists, in particular, often are a dour lot.
  • Camera manufacturers have been slugging it out in an entirely new product category this year: the micro sharpshooter.
  • We may also find this micro process to be the case for larger things in the universe.
British Dictionary definitions for micro

micro

/ˈmaɪkrəʊ/
adjective
1.
very small
noun (pl) -cros
2.
short for microcomputer, microlepidoptera, microprocessor, microwave oven

micro-

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: microcephaly, microcyte Compare macro- (sense 2)
5.
denoting 10–6: microsecond, μ
Word Origin
from Greek mikros small
Word Origin and History for micro

micro-

word-forming element meaning "small, microscopic; magnifying; one millionth," from Latinized comb. form of Greek mikros "small, little, petty, trivial, slight" (see mica).

micro in Medicine

micro- or micr-
pref.

  1. Small: microblast.

  2. Abnormally small: microcephaly.

  3. Requiring or involving microscopy: microsurgery.


  4. Symbol μ One-millionth (10-6): microliter.

micro in Science
micro-  
A prefix that means: "small" (as in microorganism) or "one millionth" (as in microsecond).
micro in Technology


microprocessor