microcosm

  1. Noun.  Human nature or the human body as representative of the wider universe; man considered as a miniature counterpart of divine or universal nature. (defdate, from 15th c.) .
  2. Noun.  (obsolete) The human body; a person. (defdate, 17th-19th c.) .
  3. Noun.  A smaller system which is seen as representative (term, of) a larger one. (defdate, from 17th c.) .
  4. Noun.  (ecology) A small natural ecosystem; an artificial ecosystem set up as an experimental model. (defdate, from 19th c.) .

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.