MICROCOSM

microcosm

(noun) a miniature model of something

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

microcosm (plural microcosms)

Human nature or the human body as representative of the wider universe; man considered as a miniature counterpart of divine or universal nature. [from 15th c.]

(obsolete) The human body; a person. [17th-19th c.]

A smaller system which is seen as representative of a larger one. [from 17th c.]

(ecology) A small natural ecosystem; an artificial ecosystem set up as an experimental model. [from 19th c.]

Synonyms

• (smaller system representative of a larger one): worldkin

• epitome

• exemplar

• paradigm

Antonyms

• macrocosm

Source: Wiktionary

Mi"cro*cosm, n. Etym: [F. microcosme, L. microcosmus, fr. Gr.

Definition: A little world; a miniature universe. Hence (so called by Paracelsus), a man, as a supposed epitome of the exterior universe or great world. Opposed to macrocosm. Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition