micro- 或 micr-
pref.（前缀）

Small:
小的：
microcircuit.
微型电路
Abnormally small:
小得不正常的：
microcephaly.
小头畸形
Requiring or involving microscopy:
使用显微镜的：需要或涉及使用显微镜的：
microsurgery.
显微外科

One-millionth (10^-6):
百方分之一的(10^-6）：
microampere.
微安（培）

语源

Greek mikro-
希腊语 mikro-
from mikros [small]
源自 mikros [小]

micro- or micr-

combining form

small or minute

⇒ microspore

involving the use of a microscope

⇒ micrography

indicating a method or instrument for dealing with small quantities

⇒ micrometer

(in pathology) indicating abnormal smallness or underdevelopment

⇒ microcephaly

⇒ microcyte
Compare macro- (sense 2)

denoting 10^–6 ⇒ microsecond μ

Origin

from Greek mikros small

Example Sentences

Carline stood by the radio-cabin, holding the scorched micro-

Ballard, J. G. Rushing to Paradise

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- /ˈmʌɪkrəʊ, esp. Medicine ˈmɪkrəʊ/ combining form. Before a vowel also micr-.

ORIGIN: Greek mikro- from mikros small: see -o-.

1.Used in words adopted from Greek and in English words modelled on these, and as a freely productive prefix, with the senses: (a) small, reduced in size, (of a garment) very short, as microprocessor, microskirt; Medicine involving arrested development or underdevelopment of a part, as microcephaly; (b) (in names of instruments, techniques, and disciplines) dealing with small effects or small quantities, involving the use of a microscope, revealed by a microscope, as microanalyser, micro-electronic; (c) containing or pertaining to something in minute form, quantity, or degree, as microphagous, microvascular; (d) pertaining to or obtained by microphotography, microphotographically reduced in size, as microbook, microtext; (e) Chemistry of or pertaining to microanalysis, as micro-scale.

2.Used in names of units of measurement to denote a factor of one-millionth (10⁻⁶), as microgram, microinch; also redupl. to denote a factor of 10⁻¹² (cf. pico-), as micromicrofarad. (Symbol µ.)

DERIVATIVE microˈaerophil(e) adjective & noun (a) adjective = microaerophilic; (b) noun a microaerophilic organism: E20.
microaeroˈphilic adjective (of a micro-organism) requiring little free oxygen, or oxygen at a lower partial pressure than that of atmospheric oxygen E20.
microˈammeter noun an ammeter for measuring currents of the strength of a few microamperes E20.
microamp noun = microampere E20.
microampere noun one millionth of an ampere L19.
microaˈnatomist noun an expert in or student of microanatomy M20.
microaˈnatomy noun the anatomy of very small structures; histology; the histology of a thing: L19.
microˈaneurysm noun (Medicine) a very small aneurysm M20.
microangiˈopathy noun (a) disease of the small blood vessels M20.
microarray Genetics a set of DNA sequences representing the entire set of genes of an organism, arranged in a grid pattern for use in genetic testing M20.
microatoll noun a circular growth of coral a few metres in diameter with a central depression, such as is found in intertidal areas in warm seas and on the flats inside a coral reef M20.
microbalance noun a balance for weighing masses of a fraction of a gram E20.
Microballoon noun (proprietary name in US for) an artificial hollow microsphere M20.
microˈbarograph noun an instrument for measuring very small changes in atmospheric pressure, such as those resulting from a distant explosion E20.
microˈbarom noun a minute oscillation of atmospheric pressure with a period of the order of 5 seconds M20.
microbeam noun a very narrow beam of radiation M20.
microˈbenthic adjective of or belonging to the microbenthos M20.
microbenthos noun the microfauna of the benthos, spec. bottom-dwelling marine organisms less than 0.1 mm long M20.
microbiota noun the micro-organisms of an area, site, or object collectively E20.
microblade noun (Archaeology) a small blade of flint or other stone struck from a prepared core M20.
microbody noun (Cytology) a very small organelle, esp. a peroxisome M20.
microbore adjective designating (a heating system with) a central-heating pipe with a very narrow bore M20.
microbrew noun (chiefly N. Amer.) (a variety of) beer produced in a microbrewery L20.
microbrewery noun (chiefly N. Amer.) a brewery which produces limited quantities of beer, often for consumption locally or on its own premises L20.
microbrowser Computing an Internet browser for use with mobile phones and other hand-held devices with small screens L20.
microˈburin noun (Archaeology) the piece of stone that is snapped off a notched blade as waste when making a microlith M20.
microburst noun a sudden strong air current produced by the impact with the ground of a fast localized downdraught M20.
microbus noun a small passenger vehicle with seats fitted as in a bus M20.
microcaloˈrimeter noun an instrument for measuring very small amounts of heat E20.
microcaloriˈmetric adjective of or pertaining to microcalorimetry E20.
microcaloˈrimetry noun the use of a microcalorimeter; measurement of very small amounts of heat: E20.
microcapsule noun a minute capsule used to contain drugs, dyes, etc. and render them temporarily inactive M20.
microcar noun a small and fuel-efficient car L20.
Microcard noun (US proprietary name for) an opaque card bearing microphotographs of a number of pages of a book, periodical, etc. M20.
microcard verb trans. reproduce on Microcards M20.
microˈcellular adjective (esp. of synthetic substances) containing or characterized by minute cells or pores E20.
microˈchemical adjective of or pertaining to microchemistry M19.
microchemist noun an expert in or student of microchemistry E20.
microˈchemistry noun the branch of chemistry that deals with the reactions and properties of substances in minute quantities, e.g. in living tissue M19.
microcinematoˈgraphic adjective of, pertaining to, or involving microcinematography E20.
microcinemaˈtography noun the cinematography of very small objects with the aid of a microscope E20.
microcircuit noun a minute electric circuit, esp. an integrated circuit M20.
microcircuitry noun microcircuits collectively; the branch of electronics that deals with microcircuits: M20.
microcirculation noun circulation of the blood in the smallest blood vessels M20.
microˈclastic adjective (Geology) minutely clastic L19.
microˈcoccal adjective caused by, of, or pertaining to a micrococcus or micrococci L19.
microˈcoccus noun, pl. -cocci /-ˈkɒk(s)ʌɪ, -k(s)i:/, a bacterium of the family Micrococcaceae of Gram-positive spherical organisms L19.
microcode noun & verb (Computing) (a) noun microinstructions collectively; a single microinstruction; each of the bit patterns of which a microinstruction is composed; (b) verb trans. = microprogram verb: M20.
microcolony noun a group of animals or plants, esp. bacteria, found in a microhabitat; a very small group of cells in culture: E20.
microcontinent noun (Geology) an oceanic, often submarine, plateau that is thought to be an isolated fragment of continental material M20.
microcontiˈnental adjective (Geology) of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a microcontinent M20.
microcontroller Computing a control device which incorporates a microprocessor L20.
microcook verb trans. & intrans. (US) = microwave verb L20.
microcopy noun & verb (a) noun a copy of a text that has been reduced in size by the use of microphotography; microcopied form (chiefly in in microcopy); (b) verb trans. & intrans. make a microcopy (of): M20.
microcrack noun a very small or fine crack M20.
microcracking noun microcracks collectively; the occurrence or formation of microcracks: M20.
microcredit noun the lending of small amounts of money at low interest to new businesses in the developing world L20.
microcyst noun a bacterial or myxamoeboid resting cell, esp. one with a thick cell wall L19.
microdegree noun a millionth of a degree centigrade (kelvin) M20.
microdensiˈtometer noun a densitometer for measuring the density of very small areas of a photographic image M20.
microdensitoˈmetric adjective of, pertaining to, or involving microdensitometry M20.
microdensiˈtometry noun the use of a microdensitometer; measurement of the density of very small areas of a photographic image: M20.
microdermabrasion noun a cosmetic treatment in which the face is sprayed with exfoliant crystals to remove dead epidermal cells L20.
microˈdiorite noun (Geology) a rock similar to diorite but fine-grained E20.
micro-eˈlectrode noun an electrode with a very fine tip, e.g. for investigating the electrical properties of individual cells E20.
micro-electrophoˈresis noun electrophoresis in which the migration of individual particles or cells is observed using a microscope M20.
micro-electrophoˈretic adjective of, pertaining to, or involving micro-electrophoresis M20.
micro-enˈcapsulate verb trans. enclose in a microcapsule M20.
micro-encapsuˈlation noun the process of enclosing in microcapsules M20.
micro-engiˈneering noun engineering on a very small scale, esp. combined with micro-electronics M20.
micro-ˈenterprise noun (a) business operating on a small scale, esp. one supported by a programme of assistance in an economically deprived area or developing country L20.
micro-environment noun (chiefly Biology) the immediate small-scale environment of a thing, esp. as a distinct part of a larger environment M20.
micro-environˈmental adjective (chiefly Biology) of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a micro-environment M20.
micro-evolution noun evolutionary change within a species or smaller group of plants or animals, usu. over a short period E20.
micro-evoˈlutionary adjective of or pertaining to micro-evolution M20.
microfarad noun one millionth of a farad L19.
microfauna noun (Biology) (a) fauna made up of minute animals; (a) fauna found in a microhabitat: L19.
microˈfaunal adjective (Biology) of or pertaining to microfauna M20.
microfelˈsitic adjective (Geology) cryptocrystalline L19.
microfibre noun an extremely fine fibre; spec. (a fabric made from) a very fine synthetic yarn: M20;
microfibril noun (Biology) a small fibril visible only under an electron microscope, esp. each of a group that together make up a fibril (such as a cellulose fibril in the wall of a plant cell) M20.
microˈfibrillar adjective (Biology) composed of microfibrils M20.
microfilament noun (Cytology) any of the small rodlike structures, about 4–7 nanometres in diameter, that are present in the cytoplasm of many eukaryotic cells and are thought to have a structural function and to be involved with cell motility M20.
microfilaˈmentous adjective (Cytology) of or pertaining to a microfilament or microfilaments L20.
microfiˈlaria noun (Zoology) the minute larval form of a filaria L19.
microfinance noun = microcredit L20.
microfloppy noun & adjective (Computing) (designating) a floppy disk with a diameter less than 514 inches, 13.3 cm (usu. 312 inches, 8.9 cm) L20.
microflora noun (Biology) (a) flora made up of minute plants; (a) flora found in a microhabitat: E20.
microfossil noun a fossil or fossil fragment that can only be seen with a microscope E20.
microfracture noun a very small or fine fracture in a material M20.
microˈfracturing noun the state of having microfractures; the formation of microfractures: M20.
microfungus noun a fungus in which no sexual process has been observed or in which the reproductive organs are microscopic L19.
microgamete noun (Biology) the smaller (usu. male) gamete in an organism where the male and female gametes differ in size L19.
microgaˈmetocyte noun (Biology) a gametocyte that gives rise to microgametes E20.
microgaˈmetophyte noun (Botany) a gametophyte that develops from a microspore; a male gametophyte: E20.
microgram noun a millionth of a gram L19.
microgranite noun (a) granite rock that is recognizable as crystalline only under a microscope L19.
micrograˈnitic adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of microgranite L19.
microˈgravity noun very weak gravity, such as that in a spacecraft L20.
microgroove noun a very narrow groove on a gramophone record M20.
microˈgyria noun (Medicine) abnormal smallness of the gyri of the brain L19.
microhabitat noun (Ecology) a habitat which is of small or limited extent and which differs in character from some surrounding more extensive habitat M20.
microhardness noun the hardness of a very small area of a sample, as measured by an indenter E20.
microimage noun an image so small that it cannot be read etc. unaided M20.
microinch noun a millionth of an inch M20.
microinˈject verb trans. (chiefly Biology) inject into a microscopic object such as an individual cell; inject something into (such an object): M20.
microinˈjection noun (Biology & Medicine) injection on a microscopic scale, esp. into an individual cell or part of a cell E20.
microkernel noun (Computing) (in an operating system) a kernel which has only the most basic in-built functions and can be configured to suit different systems by the addition of software modules L20.
microlending noun = microcredit L20.
microlevel noun the most detailed or elementary level of a hierarchy M20.
microlinˈguistic adjective of or pertaining to microlinguistics M20.
microlinˈguistics noun the branch of linguistics that deals with the analysis of specific linguistic data, as contrasted with prelinguistics and metalinguistics M20.
microlitre noun a millionth of a litre L19.
micro-machining noun the process or technique of shaping objects on a very small scale esp. using laser or particle beams M20.
micromanage verb trans. manage every part, however small, of (an enterprise or activity), esp. with undesirable avoidance of delegation L20.
microˈmanagement noun the action of micromanaging an enterprise or activity L20.
microˈmanager noun a person who (esp. habitually) micromanages an enterprise or activity L20.
microˈmania noun (a) persistent or exaggerated tendency to belittle oneself L19.
microˈmaniac noun a person with micromania E20.
micromaˈnipulate verb trans. manipulate on a microscopic scale or with a micromanipulator M20.
micromanipuˈlation noun the performance of extremely delicate operations (e.g. the isolation of single cells) under a microscope, esp. using a micromanipulator; an operation so performed: E20.
micromaˈnipulator noun an instrument used to perform micromanipulations, allowing a micropipette etc. to be operated in the field of view of a microscope E20.
microˈmastia noun [Greek mastos breast] the condition in a post-pubertal woman of having an abnormally small breast E20.
microˈmazia noun [Greek mazos breast] = micromastia L19.
micromere noun [Greek meros part] Biology a small cell formed by unequal division of an ovum or embryo, e.g. in sea urchins, and appearing at the animal pole L19.
micromesh noun material (esp. nylon) consisting of a very fine mesh M20.
microˈmillimetre noun (a) a millionth of a millimetre, a nanometre; (b)^†a thousandth of a millimetre, a micrometre: L19.
micromodule noun (Electronics) a miniaturized module consisting of a stack of interconnected micro-elements M20.
microˈmolar adjective (Chemistry) designating or involving amounts of the order of a micromole or concentrations of the order of one micromole per litre M20.
micromole noun (Chemistry) one millionth of a mole M20.
microˈnodular adjective (Medicine) (esp. of a form of cirrhosis) characterized by the presence of small nodules M20.
microˈnuclear adjective (Zoology) of or pertaining to a micronucleus L19.
microˈnucleus noun (Zoology) the smaller of two nuclei in ciliated protozoa, concerned esp. with reproduction L19.
microˈnutrient noun (Biology) any of the chemical elements which are required in trace amounts by organisms for normal growth and development M20.
micro-oˈpaque noun & adjective (designating) a type of microform produced on card or paper instead of film M20.
micro-oven noun a microwave oven M20.
micropayment noun a very small payment made each time a user accesses an Internet page or service L20.
microˈperthite noun (Mineralogy) a form of perthite in which the lamellae are microscopic L19.
microperˈthitic adjective (Mineralogy) of, pertaining to, or of the nature of microperthite L19.
microphage noun [Greek phagein eat] Physiology a small phagocytic leucocyte L19.
microphagous /mʌɪˈkrɒfəgəs/ adjective [Greek phagein eat] Biology feeding on minute particles or micro-organisms E20.
microphoˈtometer noun an instrument for making photometric measurements of very small areas L19.
microphotoˈmetric adjective of, pertaining to, or involving microphotometry M20.
microphoˈtometry noun the use of microphotometers M20.
microphyll noun (Botany) a very short leaf, as in a clubmoss, with a single unbranched vein and no leaf gaps in the stele M20.
microˈphyllous adjective having small leaves or (spec.) microphylls M19.
micropipette noun a very fine pipette for measuring, transferring, or injecting very small quantities of liquid E20.
microplankton noun plankton of small size, spec. between 50 micrometres and 0.5 millimetre E20.
micropore noun a very small pore L19.
micropoˈrosity noun microporous condition M20.
microˈporous adjective containing or characterized by micropores; microcellular: L19.
micropower adjective generating, using, or pertaining to small amounts of power M20.
microprism noun (Photography) an area of the focusing screen of some reflex cameras which is covered with a grid of tiny prisms and splits up the image when the subject is not in focus M20.
microprobe noun & verb trans. (examine using) a microanalyser M20.
microproˈjection noun the process of projecting an enlarged image of a microscopic specimen E20.
microproˈjector noun an apparatus for microprojection M20.
micropropaˌgation noun the propagation of plants by growing plantlets in tissue culture and then planting them out L20.
micropterous /mʌɪˈkrɒpt(ə)rəs/ adjective [Greek pteron wing] Entomology having small wings E19.
micropublication noun (a) publication in microform L20.
micropublish verb trans. publish in microform (freq. as micropublishing verbal noun) M20.
micropulsation noun a small oscillation in the strength of the earth's magnetic field M20.
microreader noun an apparatus for producing an enlarged readable image from a microfilm or microprint M20.
microrecord noun a documentary record in micrographically reduced form M20.
microˈsatellite (a) Genetics a set of short repeated DNA sequences at a particular locus on a chromosome, which vary in number in different individuals and so can be used for genetic fingerprinting; (b) a very small space satellite: M20.
micro-scale noun a small or microscopic scale; Chemistry the scale of microanalysis: M20.
microscooter noun a small, lightweight, two-wheeled foldable scooter, for either children or adults L20.
microsecond noun one millionth of a second E20.
microsection noun a very thin section of a specimen that can be mounted on a slide for microscopic examination L19.
microsegment noun (Phonetics) a unit of sound enclosed between two open junctures M20.
microseism noun (a)^†a minor earthquake; (b) an imperceptible disturbance of the earth's crust detectable by a seismometer but not caused by an earthquake: L19.
microˈseismic adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a microseism; (of data) obtained with a seismometer: L19.
microsite noun (a) Ecology a small, distinct area or habitat within a particular ecosytem; (b) Computing a small auxiliary website designed to function as a supplement to a primary website: M20.
microsleep noun a transitory state of sleep, esp. in a person deprived of normal sleep; a period or occasion of such sleep: M20.
microslide noun a slide prepared for microscopic examination E20.
microspecies noun (Taxonomy) a species differing only in minor characters from others of its group, often one of limited geographical range forming part of an aggregate species L19.
microspectrophoˈtometer noun an instrument for the spectrophotometric investigation of individual cells or particles M20.
microˌspectrophotoˈmetric adjective of, pertaining to, or involving microspectrophotometry M20.
microspectrophoˈtometry noun the use of microspectrophotometers M20.
microsphere noun a minute sphere; spec. one obtained by cooling a solution of a proteinoid: L19.
microˈspheric adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a microsphere L19.
microstate noun a very small country M20.
microstrip noun (Electricity) a transmission line for microwaves that consists of dielectric material coated on one side with a metallic film forming a conducting strip and on the other with a metallic coating that serves as an earth; material of this kind: M20.
microstylous adjective (Botany) having a short style in association with long filaments L19.
microswitch noun a switch which can be operated rapidly by a small movement M20.
microteaching noun (US) the teaching of a small group for a short time as part of a training or refresher course for teachers M20.
microtechnique noun a technique for handling, preparing, or investigating very small amounts of something L19.
microtechˈnology noun technology that uses or is concerned with microelectronics or with components whose size is measured in microns M20.
microtext noun (a) text that is micrographically reduced in size M20.
microtopoˈgraphic, microtopoˈgraphical adjectives of or pertaining to microtopography M20.
microtoˈpography noun surface features on a small or microscopic scale M20.
microtraˈbecula noun, pl. -lae, Cytology a filament of the microtrabecular lattice L20.
microtraˈbecular adjective (Cytology) pertaining to or designating a lattice of protein filaments in the cytoplasm of cells which is concerned with the transport of molecules in the cell L20.
microtron noun (Physics) a variant of the cyclotron in which electrons are accelerated by microwaves M20.
microˈtubular adjective (Cytology) of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a microtubule M20.
ˈmicrotubule noun (Cytology) a small, relatively rigid tubule, present in numbers in the cytoplasm of many cells, thought to have a structural function and to be involved with cell motility M20.
microunit noun (Medicine) a millionth part of a unit, esp. of an international unit (e.g. of insulin) E20.
microˈvascular adjective of or pertaining to the smallest blood vessels E20.
microˈvillar adjective (Cytology) of, pertaining to, or involving a microvillus or microvilli M20.
microˈvillous adjective (Cytology) = microvillar M20.
ˈmicrovillus noun (Cytology) any of a number of minute projections from the surface of some cells; a process similar to a villus but smaller: M20.
microwatt noun one millionth of a watt E20.
microweld verb trans. join by a very small weld M20.

micro- ⇒ Main Entry: macro-

☞ micro

micro-
— see micr-

micro-

Etymology

From Ancient Greek μικρός (mikrós, “small”).

Prefix

SI prefix
µ
	Previous:	nano-
	Next:	milli-

Very small.

organism → microorganism
(metric units) One millionth.

gram → microgram

Usage notes

(one millionth): Officially, micro- is abbreviated as µ- (the Greek letter mu); for example, one second is 1s, so one microsecond is 1µs. However, for many purposes this is inconvenient, so writers often use either u- (for its similar appearance to µ-) or mc-, producing, for example, 1um (one micrometer) and 1mcg (one microgram).

Antonyms

(very small): mega-, macro-

Derived terms

English words prefixed with micro-

前缀：micro- 表示“微, 小”

microscope 显微镜（micro+scope看→看小东西→显微镜）

microworld 微观世界（micro+world世界）

microskirt 超短裙（micro+skirt裙子）

microwave 微波（micro＋wave波）

microbe 微生物（micro+be=bi生命→小生命→微生物）

microbiology 微生物学（micro+bilolgy生物学）

microfilm 微缩胶卷（micro+film胶片）

前缀：micro- 微

microscope 显微镜

microbiology 微生物学

microsystem 微型系统

microelement 微量元素

microworld 微观世界

microskirt 超短裙，露股裙

microwave 微波

microbus 微型公共汽车

microprint 缩微印刷品

microcomputer 微型电脑