macrocosm
UK[ˈmakrə(ʊ)kɒz(ə)m]US[ˈmækrəˌkɑzəm]
n
The whole of a complex structure, especially the world or the universe, viewed as a complete system.
n
A complex structure or system, such as a society or a body, considered as a complete whole.
Morpheme Breakdown
macro
cosm
macro
large
cosm
world, universe
Etymology
The word 'macrocosm' is a direct borrowing from the Medieval Latin macrocosmus, which itself was constructed from Greek elements. It is formed from the Greek makros ('large') and kosmos ('order, world, universe'). The concept originates in ancient philosophical thought, where the universe (the 'large world' or macrocosm) was seen as a perfectly ordered system, whose structure and principles were mirrored in the smaller system of the human being (the microcosm, or 'small world'). Thus, the term's logic moves from the literal components 'large world' to the modern abstract meaning of any complete, large-scale system that reflects a complex, ordered whole.
Analysis
Structure: macro (large) + cosm (world, universe)
- macro: From Greek makros, meaning 'long, large'. In English, it functions as a combining form meaning 'large-scale' or 'overall'.
- cosm: From Greek kosmos, meaning 'order, world, universe'. In English, it functions as a combining form referring to the world or the universe.
Examples
In his philosophy, the human body is a microcosm that reflects the order of the macrocosm.
The economist studied the national economy as a macrocosm of interconnected markets.
The novel uses a small village as a macrocosm to explore the conflicts of the entire nation.