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单词 micro-
释义

micro-comb. form

Stress is determined by a range of factors though some degree of stress is usually maintained on this combining form.
Forms: 1600s– micro-, 1900s– mikro- (rare). Before a vowel micr-
Origin: A borrowing from Greek. Etymons: Greek μικρο-, μικρός.
Etymology: < ancient Greek μικρο-, combining form of μικρός small (in e.g. μικροκέϕαλος (see microcephalus n.), μικροψυχία micropsychy n.), of uncertain origin (the oldest form appears to have been σμικρός ); perhaps related to classical Latin mīca grain, crumb particle (see mica n.).Earliest recorded in English in the parallel loans microcosm n. and microcosmos n. In the 17th cent. there occur further loans, as microscope n. and micropsychy n., formations on foreign models, as micrology n. and micrometer n., and apparently the earliest independent English formations, micrography n., microphone n., and micracoustic n. The large number of 19th-cent. compounds belong mostly to the international vocabulary of the scientific world, and are variously borrowings, from scientific Latin or a modern vernacular, or independent English formations. Earlier compounds are generally with a second element ultimately of Greek or Latin origin, but from the later 19th cent., especially in non-scientific vocabulary, combinations with words of non-classical origin also become common. Frequently opposed to similar compounds in macro- comb. form, mega- comb. form, or megalo- comb. form. With use in sense 4 compare:1874 Rep. Brit. Assoc. Advancem. Sci. 1873 i. 224 For multiplication or division by a million, the prefixes mega and micro may conveniently be employed. In earlier formations where the second element begins with a vowel the form micr- is usually found (compare ancient Greek μικραδικητής , Hellenistic Greek μικρέμπορος , etc.). However, in more recent formations micro- is often found even where the second element begins with a vowel, and similarly in existing compounds which originally showed micr- (as microencephaly n.). N.E.D. (1906) gives only the pronunciation (məi·kro) /ˈmaɪkrəʊ/; O.E.D. Suppl. (1976) adds a note that ‘in some words, especially in Med., the pronunciation (mi·kro) [ /ˈmɪkrəʊ/] also occurs’, but evidence supporting this statement is very limited, and this pronunciation appears to have been marginal at best. The position of the stress differs between compounds of micro- in accordance with the general stress patterns of English. Contrastive stress may also give rise contextually to primary stress on the first syllable of the prefix in compounds where the stress ordinarily falls elsewhere.
1.
a. Forming terms in which micro- indicates small (often microscopic) or relatively small size, frequently in contrast with related terms beginning with macro- or mega-.
(a)
microabscess n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊˈabsɪs/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrəʊˈabsɛs/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈæbˌsɛs/
ΚΠ
1946 Nature 5 Oct. 487/2 Thrombo-angiitis, phlebitis and lymphangiitis with micro-abscess formation can be found on study of sections of these structures.
1962 Lancet 1 Dec. 1134 The kidneys showed the changes of acute and chronic pyelonephritis, with microabscesses and gross fibrosis.
1994 Jrnl. Dermatol. 21 102 The former showed cup-shaped acanthosis with a parakeratotic column containing Munro's microabscesses.
microaneurysm n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊˈanjᵿrɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈænjəˌrɪz(ə)m/
ΚΠ
1948 J. H. Parsons & S. Duke-Elder Dis. Eye (ed. 11) xvii. 371 These droplets..tend to obscure the lumen of the vessel, forming a small micro-aneurysm.
1979 Amer. Jrnl. Ophthalmol. 88 694 The retinopathy, consisting of capillary microaneurysms, cotton-wool patches, and telangiectasis, developed after a latent period.
1999 Neuroradiology 41 436 Angiography revealed..multiple microaneurysms in the hepatic, renal, mesenteric and even the lumbar arteries.
† microbacillus n. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 904 The microbacillus of Unna.
microbubble n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌbʌbl/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌbəb(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1962 Science 12 Oct. 111/1 It is possible that this kind of bubble collapse is a catastrophic form..of the Willard phenomenon..of microbubble production associated with surface vibrations.
1999 Chicago Tribune 14 Jan. ii. 9 (advt.) Save up to $19 on Easy Spirit's Anti-Gravity fitness shoes with microbubble technology to absorb more shock.
micro-car n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kɑː/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkɑr/
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor car > [noun] > small or light
voiturette1897
light car1901
baby1920
minicar1948
poodler1951
micromotor1953
compact1960
subcompact1960
roller skate1961
super-compact1962
micro-car1980
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor car > [adjective] > small
compact1960
subcompact1960
micro-car1980
1980 N.Y. Times 3 Oct. c35/1 The opening show looks at microcars, which just might relieve urban traffic congestion.
1991 Economist 14 Sept. 98/1 Japan's unique micro-car market (with engines under 660cc) is one of the most cut-throat in the car business.
microchromosome n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈkrəʊməsəʊm/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈkroʊməˌsoʊm/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈkroʊməˌzoʊm/
ΚΠ
1905 E. B. Wilson in Jrnl. Exper. Zool. 2 375 Especially large or small chromosomes may be designated as ‘macrochromosomes’ or ‘microchromosomes’, irrespective of their behavior.
1995 Nature 5 Jan. 68/2 In the Amazon Molly fish..we have detected a process that appears to compensate for disadvantages of asexuality, namely incorporation of subgenomic amounts of DNA from a bisexual host species by microchromosomes.
microconidium n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kə(ʊ)ˈnɪdɪəm/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊkəˈnɪdiəm/
ΚΠ
1871 M. C. Cooke Handbk. Brit. Fungi II. 776 Hypomycetes... Microconidia or Conidia proper very copious.
1936 Jrnl. Ecol. 24 111 Microconidia produced in dense aggregations superficially resembling sclerotia.
1955 New Biol. 19 20 Many fungi produce microconidia, with spores containing a single nucleus.
1984 D. A. Roberts & C. W. Boothroyd Fund. Plant Pathol. (ed. 2) xvii. 223 The microconidia act as spermatia.
1999 Fungal Genetics & Biol. 26 1 The microconidia [of Neurospora crassa] can function either as spermatia (male gametes) or as asexual reproductive structures or both.
microcrater n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkreɪtə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkreɪdər/
ΚΠ
1965 Jrnl. Appl. Physics 36 3701/1 From the crater fields observed at low power density irradiation it can be concluded that the formation of microcraters is an early stage in the development of laser-induced radiation damage of metal surfaces.
1990 P. Anderson in L. Niven et al. Man-Kzin Wars III x. 239 I think the microcraters everywhere were formed in the last hundred million years, plus or minus x.
microdrop n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)drɒp/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌdrɑp/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌdrɑp/
ΚΠ
1961 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 47 1964 A mixture of bacteria and substrate in a suitable buffer is prepared and dispersed in microdrops under silicone oil by spraying a fine mist of suspension.
2000 Canad. Jrnl. Physiol. & Pharmacol. 78 87 On the 1st day in vitro, neuropeptide Y..was applied as a microdrop to the suprachiasmatic nuclei region at various times.
microdroplet n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌdrɒplᵻt/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌdrɑplət/
ΚΠ
1962 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 48 1676 To determine the frequency distribution of rod lengths in a sample, all the TMV rods visible in the electron micrographs of 10 microdroplets are measured.
1993 Independent on Sunday 17 Oct. (Business section) 6/7 The steam is formed when a micro-droplet of water at one end of a tube is heated by a very fine hot-wire filament.
micro-earthquake n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊˈəːθkweɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈərθˌkweɪk/
ΚΠ
1967 N.Y. Times 23 May 29 Before a volcano erupts it generates micro-earthquakes, which we are able to detect on our seismographs.
1992 J. Hamilton-Paterson Seven-tenths i. i. 13 A Russian geologist..recently made seismograms of micro-earthquakes under the Tyrrhenian Sea.
micro-explosion n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻkˈspləʊʒn/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrəʊɛkˈspləʊʒn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊᵻkˈsploʊʒ(ə)n/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊɛkˈsploʊʒ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1951 Proc. Royal Soc. 1950–51 A. 204 24 Sensitive photographic and other methods show that a micro-explosion has occurred.
1974 Sci. Amer. June 24/1 It was..proposed that the fusion microexplosions could be applied to the generation of power.
1981 Peace News 2 Oct. 5/3 Another new development is that, with the design of new micro-explosion units, it will be possible to carry out tests for atomic bombs in laboratories.
† micro-ferment n. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1883 Knowledge 1 June 323/1 Former articles upon micro-ferments afford some information concerning..the bacillus.
microfungus n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌfʌŋɡəs/
,
/ˌmʌɪrə(ʊ)ˈfʌŋɡəs/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌfəŋɡəs/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈfəŋɡəs/
ΚΠ
1874 Hardwicke's Sci.-gossip 10 256/1 That rare and interesting Micro-fungus Xenodochus carbonarius.
1958 Jrnl. Ecol. 46 650 Penicillium nigricans..seems to be the most widespread soil microfungus of British dunes.
1994 Ecology 75 1807 The initial lignin content of leaves controlled litter breakdown rate through a kinetic limitation of carbon sources for saprotrophic microfungi.
† microgonid n. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1884 Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 23 67 These zoons..assume characteristics of true males or microgonids.
microgonidium n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡə(ʊ)ˈnɪdɪəm/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊɡəˈnɪdiəm/
ΚΠ
1853 A. Henfrey tr. A. Braun Refl. on Phenomenon of Rejuvenescence in Nature in A. Henfrey Bot. & Physiol. Mem. 137 Plants with two kinds of moving germ-cells, large (macrogonidia) and small (microgonidia).
1857 M. J. Berkeley Introd. Cryptogamic Bot. §123 The micro-gonidia, which are supposed to be true antheridia, have..been described.
1925 Ecology 6 468 Evidence is adduced to show that the ciliospores [of Zoothamnium geniculatum] do not conjugate with the microgonidia.
1993 Jrnl. Helminthol. Soc. Washington 60 174 New cellular units (microgonidia) may be released from mature filaments into the ingesta of the hindgut.
micrograver n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌɡreɪvə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌɡreɪvər/
ΚΠ
1926 Guide Antiquities Stone Age Dept. Brit. & Mediaeval Antiquities Brit. Mus. (ed. 3) 90 The early sites with the angle-graver or true graver, and the later with the micro~graver as the typical implement.
1939 V. G. Childe Dawn European Civilization (ed. 3) i. 6 Pigmy flints or microliths, ingeniously worked into regular geometrical shapes..or into microgravers.
microlaser n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌleɪzə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌleɪzər/
ΚΠ
1979 Soviet Jrnl. Quantum Electronics 9 250/1 As a result of the rapid development of fiber-optic communication lines, interest has recently been shown in the building of microlasers utilizing compounds having a high neodymium concentration.
1980 Adv. Biochem. Psychopharmacol. 25 89/1 The BTG micro-laser unit enabled the dissection of single clusters of paraganglionic cells from the surrounding neuropil.
2000 Economist (Nexis) 27 May 129/2 Lasers less than a thousandth of a millimetre across, or microlasers, function in basically the same way as their table-top counterparts, with carefully grown crystals..acting both as the gain medium and as the mirrors.
micrometastasis n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)mᵻˈtastəsɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊməˈtæstəsəs/
ΚΠ
1967 Canad. Med. Assoc. Jrnl. 97 1289/1 Micrometastases in lymph nodes can be excluded only by operation and histological examination of numerous sections.
2000 Internat. Jrnl. Oncol. 16 893 Fluorescence stereomicroscopy identified peritoneal micrometastases that had been undetected by stereomicroscopy. Micrometastases as small as a single cell are detectable in this model.
micrometazoa n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)mɛtəˈzəʊə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌmɛdəˈzoʊə/
ΚΠ
1942 Ecology 23 455/2 Because of tidal movements, the beach micrometazoa are exposed to rigorous environmental conditions.
1999 Canad. Jrnl. Fisheries & Aquatic Sci. 56 1452 The abundance of bacteria, flagellates, ciliates, and Micrometazoa was investigated for eight different sediment types.
microparasite n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈparəsʌɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈpɛrəˌsaɪt/
ΚΠ
1884 Science 1 Feb. 130/1 The number of substances which are less injurious to man than to micro-parasites is very small.
1925 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 11 662 (title) The life history of a micro-parasite isolated from carcinomatous growths.
2000 Jrnl. Helminthol. Soc. Washington 67 1 The continuum of microparasites to macroparasites.
microparticle n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈpɑːtᵻkl/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpɑːtᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈpɑrdək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1956 World Politics 8 462 Soviet philosophers of science..felt called upon to contend that beneath the superficial appearance of indeterminacy the micro-particles of quantum theory must fully conform to a law of ‘deeper causal determination’ of the micro-processes.
1969 Encycl. Sci. Suppl. (Grolier) 78 The search continues for facts about the similarities and differences between ‘organized elements’, microfossils, and microparticles formed from amino acid polymers.
1984 Listener 13 Dec. 11/2 We explain the behaviour of surface features of a phenomenon such as the transparency of glass or the liquidity of water in terms of the behaviour of microparticles such as molecules.
1991 Lancet 25 May 1289/1 The microparticles stimulate the mucosal immune system because they are taken up across the intestine through Peyer's patches.
microphenocryst n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈfiːnə(ʊ)krɪst/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈfɛnə(ʊ)krɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈfinəˌkrɪst/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈfɛnəˌkrɪst/
ΚΠ
1926 G. W. Tyrrell Princ. Petrol. v. 86 The terms microporphyritic and microphenocrysts may be used when the texture can only be made out with the use of a microscope.
1946 Jrnl. Geol. (Chicago) 54 27/2 Microphenocrysts of augite are set in a microcrystalline to cryptocrystalline and hyaline groundmass.
1990 Jrnl. Petrol. 31 802 Quantitative modelling of the evolved Tristan lavas is made difficult by the relative abundance of exotic microphenocryst phases, e.g., apatite, sphene, and hauyne.
microquantity n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈkwɒntᵻti/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkwɒntᵻti/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈkwɑn(t)ədi/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌkwɑn(t)ədi/
ΚΠ
1940 Science 14 June 557/1 The recognition and experimental control of organic and inorganic substances in micro-quantities.
1946 Jrnl. Marine Biol. Assoc. 26 303 (title) The estimation in sea-water solutions of micro-quantities of mercury in the presence of copper.
1992 Science 24 Apr. 496/2 This produces only microquantities of material.
microrobot n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈrəʊbɒt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈroʊˌbɑt/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈroʊbət/
ΚΠ
1982 Automation 18 26/1 Micro robots..are developing new uses and applications.
1991 World Monitor Apr. 50/2 Some scientists say it may be possible to build robots 1/ 1,000 the size of microrobots.
1997 New Scientist 26 Apr. 30/1 At this early stage in the development of microrobot football, researchers have yet to work out the best answers to these problems.
microschizont n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈskɪzɒnt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈskɪˌzɑnt/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈskɪtˌsɑnt/
ΚΠ
1912 E. A. Minchin Introd. Study Protozoa xv. 373 The macromerozoites..may..develop into microschizonts.
1998 Vaccine 16 569 Attenuation is associated with reduced ability to differentiate into microschizonts.
microtektite n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈtɛktʌɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈtɛkˌtaɪt/
ΚΠ
1967 Nature 22 Apr. 374/1 It is concluded that the glassy objects [in deep-sea sediments] discussed in this report are microtektites, and that they constitute a portion of the Australasian strewn field which extends from Thailand to Tasmania.
1992 New Scientist 8 Aug. 15/2 He found microscopic glass beads, or microtektites, in samples he etched with acid while looking for microfossils.
micro-vegetation n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)vɛdʒᵻˈteɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌvɛdʒəˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1941 Ecology 22 38/1 The purpose of this study was to determine some of the soil conservational values of a protective algal crust... Such an aim has led to a shifting of much of the importance from the higher plants to this microvegetation.
1958 Blumea 9 206 Barnacles were collected in order to get an impression of the algal microvegetation..growing on them.
1978 Daily Tel. 2 Feb. 6/6 Working in freezing temperatures where relentless winds keep snow from settling..researchers have found ‘micro-vegetation’.
microvesicle n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈvɛsᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈvɛsək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1960 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 132 1496/2 Neither ferritin not methylated ferritin particles..pass into the microvesicles which are formed in great numbers from the primary vesicle.
1993 Mycol. Res. 97 189/1 In the specialized region of Neurospora crassa (Sordariales) they observed numerous microvesicles and ribosomes.
microzone n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)zəʊn/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌzoʊn/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌzoʊn/
ΚΠ
1938 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 24 66 A constantly regenerated and highly concentrated microzone on the mud.
1941 Ecol. Monogr. 11 52/1 If the water in contact with the mud is rich in oxygen and a brown oxidative microzone is formed, the conditions in the microzone are to be compared with the initial conditions of the experiment.
1984 Science 22 June 1342/1 This process could create microzones of dissolved iron.
(b)
micro-explosive adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻkˈspləʊsɪv/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻkˈspləʊzɪv/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrəʊɛkˈspləʊsɪv/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrəʊɛkˈspləʊzɪv/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊᵻkˈsploʊsɪv/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊɛkˈsploʊsɪv/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊᵻkˈsploʊzɪv/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊɛkˈsploʊzɪv/
ΚΠ
1971 Jrnl. Physics D 4 1945 The micro-explosive disruption of the layer following Joule heating of the underlying metal causes collapse of the high trapped-ion field and the quenching of local emission.
† microgonidial adj. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Microgonidial, of, pertaining to, or resembling a microgonidium.
microinvertebrate n. and adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊɪnˈvəːtᵻbrət/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrəʊɪnˈvəːtᵻbreɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊᵻnˈvərdəbrət/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊᵻnˈvərdəˌbreɪt/
ΚΠ
1961 Ecology 42 557 (table) Fish and invertebrate species in which micro~invertebrates were found to make up at least 5% of the food of some stage of the life history.
1967 P. B. Applewhite & H. J. Morowitz in W. C. Corning & S. C. Ratner Chem. Learning xxi. 332 Organisms this small [sc. less than 1 mm] are called the microinvertebrates and include the so-called micrometazoa and virtually all the protozoa.
2000 Archiv f. Hydrobiol. 147 373 Inorganic nutrient addition did not substantially alter the microinvertebrate community structure.
micrometazoan n. and adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)mɛtəˈzəʊən/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌmɛdəˈzoʊən/
ΚΠ
1964 Oceanogr. & Marine Biol. 2 382 This remarkable interstitial fauna..consisting of protozoans and micrometazoans..has been eagerly studied since the twenties by Kiel zoologists.
1991 Ecol. Monogr. 61 369 Most species in Little Rock Lake are probably benthic organisms such as micrometazoans and other microbes.
1999 Hydrobiologia 394 13 (title) Factors related to autotrophic potamoplankton, heterotrophic protists and micrometazoan abundance, at two sites in a lowland temperate river.
microparasitic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)parəˈsɪtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌpɛrəˈsɪdɪk/
ΚΠ
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 196 Febrile micro-parasitic type.
1999 Amer. Naturalist 153 359 Pairwise invadability analysis is used to examine the evolutionary dynamics of host resistance to microparasitic infection.
(c) In ad hoc formations.
micro-desert n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌdɛzət/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌdɛzərt/
ΚΠ
1935 Discovery Nov. 320/1 Whenever it finds a patch of..dry, dusty ground, there it arrives... Such patches, for the purposes of that Acrotylus, are deserts. They are, in fact, micro-deserts.
microhaystack n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈheɪstak/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈheɪˌstæk/
ΚΠ
1974 Sci. Amer. July 134/2 A computer patiently runs the long repetitive scans looking for tiny needles in microhaystacks.
micro-panorama n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)panəˈrɑːmə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌpænəˈræmə/
ΚΠ
1946 A. Koestler Thieves in Night 279 Pen-holders of olivewood with a tiny inlaid lens through which one could see a micro-panorama of Jerusalem.
(d)
microatoll n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊˈatɒl/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrəʊəˈtɒl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈæˌtɔl/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈæˌtɑl/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈeɪˌtɔl/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈeɪˌtɑl/
a circular growth of coral a few metres in diameter and with a central depression, such as is found in intertidal areas in warm seas and on the flats inside a coral reef.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Diploblastica > phylum Coelenterata > [noun] > class Anthozoa Actinozoa > member of > circular growth of
microatoll1933
1933 P. H. Kuenen in Snellius-Expedition Netherlands E. Indies V. ii. iii. 64 Conditions unfavourable to coral growth above low tide level certainly favour the formation of the micro-atolls.
1991 R. Goldring Fossils in Field ii. 31 (caption) Microatolls formed by the coral Porites in shallow water at Heron Island, Queensland, Australia.
microbiota n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)bʌɪˈəʊtə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌbaɪˈoʊdə/
Biology microfauna and microflora considered together; spec. that of a given habitat, region, or epoch.
ΚΠ
1927 Science 24 June p. x This world of the soil microbiota.
1942 Ecology 23 402/1 (note) Francé..developed the concept of the edaphon, in which the soil microbiota was represented as the terrestrial equivalent of aquatic plankton.
1974 Nature 8 Feb. 361/2 Only a selection of the diverse Bungle Bungle microbiota [from Western Australia] is presented here.
1999 Amer. Jrnl. Clin. Nutrition 69 1035S/1 Dynamic balances exist between the gastrointestinal microbiota, host physiology, and diet.
microblade n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)bleɪd/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌbleɪd/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌbleɪd/
Archaeology a small stone blade or flake struck from a prepared flint core.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > tool > types of tools generally > prehistoric tool > [noun] > types of
flintstonec1400
celt1748
fairy hammer1815
axe1851
flint-flake1851
stone-axe1864
flake-knife1865
scraper1865
thumb-flint1865
tool-stone1865
saddle quern1867
fabricator1872
grattoir1872
hammer-stone1872
tribrach1873
flake1875
hand-axe1878
pick1888
turtle-back1890
racloir1892
eolith1895
pebble chopper1895
palaeotalith1897
tranchet1899
point1901
pygmy flint1907
microlith1908
Gravette1911
keeled scraper1911
lissoir1911
coup de poing1912
end-scraper1915
burin1916
rostro-carinate1919
tortoise core1919
blade1921
axe-adze1925
petit tranchet1926
tournette1927
pebble tool1931
raclette1932
biface1934
cleaver1935
thumbnail scraper1937
microblade1959
linguate1966
1959 Harvard Jrnl. Asiatic Stud. 22 104 The imperishable part of their culture consisted of flakes and micro-blades, bone points and harpoons.
1969 Britannica Bk. of Year (U.S.) 101 Commonly inserted as ‘side blades’ into lateral grooves in antler and bone projectile points,..‘microblades’ lacerated the flesh of wounded game animals and thus promoted free bleeding and rapid death.
1986 R. B. Morrison & C. R. Wilson Native Peoples iii. 56 The earliest diagnostic tools in the far northwest are microblades—tiny, unifacial, paralled-sided blades removed from specialized wedge-shaped cores.
microbody n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌbɒdi/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌbɑdi/
Cell Biology a small organelle, esp. a peroxisome.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > substance > cell > cell organelle or contents > [noun] > other organelles or contents
raphide1831
body1839
raphid1863
mucigen1874
cell sap1875
globoid1875
raphis1879
pyrenoid1883
mucinogen1884
plastid1885
molluscum corpuscle1886
hyalosome1889
molluscum body1892
statolith1892
dictyosome1893
centrosome1895
Nissl body1898
Nissl granule1898
Nissl substance1899
archespore1901
blepharoplast1907
liposome1910
statocone1910
kinetosome1912
Golgi body1916
kinetoplast1925
lipochondrion1936
microsome1943
kappa1945
Pappenheimer body1947
microbody1954
lysosome1955
siderosome1957
ribosome1958
melanosome1961
cisterna1962
microtubule1962
plasmalemmasome1962
phagolysosome1963
informosome1964
monosome1964
mucocyst1965
peroxisome1965
rhoptry1967
spectrin1968
virosome1970
1954 J. Rhodin Correlation Ultrastruct. Organization & Function in Tubule Cells Mouse Kidney ii. 21 The number, size and shape of the microbodies varies from cell to cell with a mean of about 10 in each cell.
1989 B. Alberts et al. Molecular Biol. Cell (ed. 2) viii. 406 Peroxisomes (also known as microbodies) are small vesicular compartments that contain enzymes utilized in a variety of oxidative interactions.
2000 Molecular & Biochem. Parasitol. 106 225 Kinetoplastid parasites contain a unique microbody organelle called the glycosome.
microcapsule n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkapsjuːl/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkapsjᵿl/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkaps(ə)l/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkæps(ə)l/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌkæpˌs(j)ul/
a very small capsule, used esp. to provide controlled release of dyes, drugs, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > [noun] > small
capsule1652
cistula1699
microcapsule1961
1961 New Scientist 20 Apr. 115/3 The National Cash Register Company first developed microcapsules of a dye in a colourless form, which were spread on paper.
1964 Science 23 Oct. 524/1 Artificial microcapsules..can be made simply and in large numbers, and..enzymes and other proteins locked into these particles retain useful biological activity.
1972 Chem. Processing Apr. 21/2 Wass, Pritchard have developed a dry system for the application of fragrance or flavour microcapsules during the printing process.
1990 L. H. Tribe Abortion 213 Injectable microspheres and microcapsules..provide a constant dose of a contraceptive hormone over several months.
2000 Jrnl. Immunol. Methods 237 85 Specific quantities of proteins introduced into cells by microcapsules.
† microcarpous adj. [compare Hellenistic Greek μικρόκαρπος bearing small fruit] Botany Obsolete rare having small fruit; (of a moss) having small sporangia.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Microcarpus, having small fruit, as the Asphodelia microcarpus... Also applied to mosses that have small urns..: microcarpous.
microcatchment n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈkatʃm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈkɛtʃmənt/
Ecology a small catchment area for rainfall, spec. an artificial construction which directs rainwater towards a single plant.
ΚΠ
1979 J. Crowther in A. F. Pitty Geogr. Approaches to Fluvial Processes iii. 35 Micro-catchments were..selected to encompass the complete spectrum of weathering environments.
1987 Agric. Water Managem. 12 177 The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of combined variabilities of rain and soil parameters as stochastic inputs for a runoff model on a microcatchment area of 250 m2.
1991 New Scientist 23 Mar. 40/2 They built tiny water-collecting structures for their sorghum crops by piling up soil round each plant. These ‘microcatchments’ are, literally, of human dimensions.
microcellular adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈsɛljᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈsɛljələr/
(esp. of synthetic substances) having or characterized by a structure consisting of small cells.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > organism > organisms by number or kind of cells > [adjective]
monocellular1854
multicellular1857
unicellular1858
monoplastic1877
unicelled1877
multicelled1884
acellular1886
monoplastid1889
tricellular1891
single-celled1899
mixed-celled1908
microcellular1909
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Microcellular.
1958 Punch 8 Oct. 476/3 Bottines have micro-cellular rubber soles and are very neat and light.
1965 Biol. Abstr. 46 5347/1 (heading) Complex treatment of the microcellular bronchial carcinoma by means of the nitrogen mustard and X-rays.
1986 Your Horse Sept. 48/3 Made from microcellular neoprene..this range of boots is..simple to use.
1995 Neuroscience 65 681 An ipsilateral descending projection which had terminations in the microcellular tegmental nucleus.
† microceratous adj. [compare scientific Latin microceratae (J. B. Robineau-Desvoidy 1830, in Mém. à l'Acad. Royale des Sci. de l'Inst. de France 2 58)] Entomology Obsolete rare having small antennae.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Microceratus, applied by Robineau-Desvoidy to a section..of the Myodaria Coleoptera, comprehending those which have short antennae: microceratous.
† microcerous adj. [compare scientific Latin microcerus (J. B. Robineau-Desvoidy 1830, in Mém. à l'Acad. Royale des Sci. de l'Inst. de France 2 61)] Entomology Obsolete rare having small antennae or tentacles.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Microcerus, applied by Blainville to a section..of the Nereides, comprehending those which have very short tentacula: microcerous.
microcirculation n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)səːkjᵿˈleɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌsərkjəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
Physiology the smallest blood vessels (esp. capillaries and small arterioles) collectively; circulation of blood in these vessels.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > vascular system > circulation > [noun] > types of circulation
recoursea1545
refluencea1592
refluxion1598
refluency1615
reflux1630
fluid vein1817
microcirculation1955
shunting1961
1955 Angiology 6 281 The basic and applied aspects of microcirculation.
1957 Amer. Jrnl. Med. 23 684 (title) General principles governing the behavior of the microcirculation.
1969 Sci. Jrnl. Apr. 20/2 To increase an impaired microcirculation patients are commonly treated with histamine which..rapidly relaxes the walls of capillaries.
1989 S. Fulder Handbk. Complementary Med. (rev. ed.) xvi. 212 Rosemary oil is frequently used to increase peripheral micro-circulation.
microcolony n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkɒləni/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkɑləni/
Biology a small colony of organisms, esp. of bacteria; a very small group of cells in culture.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > balance of nature > population > [noun] > type of
swarm1560
isotype1881
habitat group1898
guild1903
microcolony1925
thanatocœnosis1953
ecomorph1954
community1957
subpopulation1959
micropopulation1966
1925 Science 26 June 645/1 I have found in observing developing micro-colonies of Bacillus megatherium that the cells progressively enlarge.
1937 Ecology 18 455 Micro-colonies are defined as groups of four or more interconnected cells.
1959 New Biol. 30 53 The fact that a large number of nests are collected each year may be attributed to birds successfully breeding in the inaccessible parts of the caves. These micro-colonies form reservoirs from which the caves are restocked annually.
1968 L. E. Casida in T. R. G. Gray & D. Parkinson Ecol. Soil Bacteria 100 Many soil bacteria grow as microcolonies within the larger pores of soil aggregates.
2000 Microbiology 146 1311 The ability [of mycoplasmas] to form microcolonies on surfaces was shown to correlate with the gliding activity.
microculture n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkʌltʃə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkəltʃər/
Biology cultivation of a very small number of microorganisms or cells; a preparation obtained in this way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > material > [noun] > culture or medium
culture1880
blood culture1881
cultivation1881
culture medium1883
pure culture1883
agar1885
broth1885
subculture1885
tube-culture1886
bouillon1887
stab-culture1889
streak culture1892
blood agar1893
microculture1893
shake culture1894
streak plate1895
broth culture1897
slant1899
plating1900
stock culture1903
touch preparation1908
tissue culture1912
plaque1924
slope1925
agar-agar1929
isolate1931
MacConkey1938
auxanogram1949
lawn1951
monolayer1952
replica plate1952
1893 Philos. Trans. 1892 (Royal Soc.) B. 183 132 (caption) Glass micro-culture chamber in use with gas generators.
1973 Nature 5 Oct. 263/2 We analysed microcultures containing small numbers of cells (104 to 105) and the antibody response could be followed for up to 40 d.
1999 European Jrnl. Neurosci. 11 2793 Microcultures containing only one or a few neurons also displayed oscillatory activity.
microdomain n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)də(ʊ)ˌmeɪn/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊdoʊˌmeɪn/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊdəˌmeɪn/
a very small distinct structural or functional unit or region, esp. in a cell membrane or protein.
ΚΠ
1957 Science 9 Aug. 253/1 There must be a momentary deficiency in the microdomain of the pore in the solution side of the barrier.
1962 Science 29 June 1123/3 One should be able to determine the exact submicroscopic arrangement of the DNA molecules in the sperm of the cave cricket by measuring the change of optical property in each microdomain.
1982 Physical Rev. B. 26 6150 It is suggested that an applied magnetic field breaks the large domains, containing many clusters, into microdomains containing only a few clusters, or even one.
1998 Jrnl. Molecular & Cellular Cardiol. 30 2547 Differences in regulatory mechanisms..help define a series of coronary vascular microdomains.
microfilaria n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)fᵻˈlɛːrɪə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊfəˈlɛriə/
Zoology the tiny larval form of a filarial nematode.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > phylum Nemathelminthes > [noun] > class Nematoda > genus Filaria > member of > larval form
microfilaria1878
macrofilaria1973
1878 Lancet 23 Mar. 440/2 Micro-filariae in chylous urine.
1913 Science 21 Nov. 727/1 The microfilariæ were discovered by Demarquay in 1863.
1966 New Scientist 1 Sept. 482/3 Adult worms spawn progeny called microfilariae. They are ingested by, and develop in, several varieties of mosquito.
2000 Vet. Parasitol. 90 333 The worms in both instances were female, and were gravid, i.e. contained microfilariae in utero.
microfossil n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌfɒsl/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈfɒsl/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌfɑs(ə)l/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈfɑs(ə)l/
Palaeontology a very small fossil; a fossil microorganism.
ΚΠ
1924 Bull. Amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists 8 539 (heading) The value of micro-fossils in petroleum exploration.
1945 M. F. Glaessner Princ. Micropalaeontol. ii. 7 Fossil remains of those groups of organisms whose average representatives do not exceed microscopic size constitute the first and most important category of microfossils.
1991 Amer. Scientist Mar. 135/2 Among the most useful groups for identifying and dating geologic strata are the tiny tooth-like microfossils known as conodont elements.
microgreens n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡriːnz/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌɡrinz/
originally U.S. young, small shoots of celery, rocket, lettuce, etc., used to make salads and other dishes.
ΚΠ
1997 PR Newswire (Nexis) 5 Sept. Chestnut Springs Farm is a 100-acre organic farm with seven hothouses devoted to baby and micro greens, edible flowers, herbs, heirloom vegetables and more.
1999 N.Y. Mag. 8 Nov. 115 A salad of chanterelles, morels, and hens-of-the-woods with toasted hazelnuts, microgreens, and white-truffle oil.
2006 Time Out N.Y. 8 June 37/1 A precarious tower of shaved, tender meat and microgreens on a toasted rye round with onion marmalade.
microhabitat n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈhabᵻtat/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈhæbəˌtæt/
chiefly Ecology a small, usually specialized habitat within a larger habitat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > balance of nature > environment or habitat > [noun] > portion of
subregion1830
province1847
realm1854
substrate1876
quadrat1904
transect1905
biotope1909
basal cover1923
microhabitat1931
basal area1938
tetrad1963
1931 W. C. Allee Animal Aggregations xx. 354 Unless the first living molecules appeared in considerable numbers approximately simultaneously with a limited microhabitat, there would have been little chance of survival.
1970 Watsonia 8 93 Like several other British ferns, it shows a partiality for railway platforms, which often supply a very special moist and calcareous microhabitat.
1988 E. Wood et al. Sea Life Brit. & Ireland 97 The wrecks are so large that..the large number of holes and other micro-habitats attract many species of fish.
microlecithal adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈlɛsᵻθl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈlɛsəθ(ə)l/
Zoology designating an egg having a small (amount of) yolk.
ΚΠ
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. Microlecithal, having very little food-yolk: applied to certain ova, such as those of sponges, marine worms, echinoderns, etc.
1977 A. S. Romer & T. S. Parsons Vertebr. Body (ed. 5) v. 101 In some eggs, mainly microlecithal, the yolk is fairly evenly distributed throughout the cell.
1998 Acta Zoologica 79 287 The eggs are macrolecithal in C[ribrilina] annulata and microlecithal in C. hyalina.
† microlepidotous adj. Zoology Obsolete rare having very small scales.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Microlepidotus, applied to a fish, as the Labrus microlepidotus, or to a reptile, as the Cordylus microlepidotus, which has very small scales on the body: microlepidotous.
micromodule n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌmɒdjuːl/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌmɒdʒuːl/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌmɑdʒul/
Electronics a miniaturized module, consisting of a stack of interconnected micro-elements.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic devices or components > [noun] > microelectronic devices > stack of microelements
micromodule1958
1958 Communications Assoc. Computing Machinery 1 39 Micro-miniaturization and the new component—The micro-module.
1980 Rev. Sci. Instruments 51 1253 A Motorola 6800 micromodule updates the contents of each channel by direct memory access and displays the resulting correlogram on a CRT monitor.
micronodular adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈnɒdjᵿlə/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈnɒdʒᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈnɑdʒələr/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈnɑdjələr/
Pathology characterized by the presence of small nodules; chiefly in micronodular cirrhosis (cf. macronodular adj. at macro- comb. form 1b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > swelling > [adjective]
swollenc1325
bolnedc1380
botchya1398
tumid?1541
tumefied1597
tumefacted1598
proud1607
tumoured1635
hobbeda1722
swelled1733
all of a lump1738
jogged1746
nodular1872
youstered1894
micronodular1960
macronodular1967
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > glandular disorders > [noun] > disorders of liver
hepatitis1699
liver rot1785
liver1805
gin liver1830
nutmeg liver1833
cirrhosis1839
Laennec's cirrhosis1839
gin drinker's liver1845
yellow atrophy1845
hobnailed liver1849
red atrophy1849
hobnail liver1882
fascioliasis1884
infectious hepatitis1891
distomatosis1892
distomiasis1892
hepatomegalia1893
infective hepatitis1896
spirit liver1896
hepatoma1905
hepatosplenomegalia1930
Pick's syndrome1932
serum hepatitis1943
Pick's syndrome1955
micronodular cirrhosis1960
macronodular cirrhosis1967
hep1975
1960 Amer. Jrnl. Pathol. 36 248 (heading) Nutritional cirrhosis (alcoholic, fatty, micronodular, Laennec's cirrhosis).
1976 G. M. Edington & H. M. Gilles Pathol. in Tropics (ed. 2) xi. 542 The terms portal and postnecrotic would probably be better expressed morphologically as micronodular and macronodular respectively.
1985 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 14 Sept. 708/1 Various liver diagnoses were entered, including cirrhosis, micronodular cirrhosis, and nutritional cirrhosis.
1994 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91 8817 The livers of the cachectic mice were uniformly micronodular with diffuse, confluent hepatocellular necrosis around the central vein.
† micropetalous adj. Botany Obsolete rare having small petals.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1849 J. Craig New Universal Dict. Micropetalous, in Botany, small leaves, as in Diananthus [sic] micropetalus.
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Micropetalus, having petals very short or very small..: micropetalous.
micropower n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpaʊə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌpaʊər/
energy generated and utilized in relatively small quantities, esp. by small-scale plants or devices close to the point of use; electricity generation of this type; frequently and in earliest use as a modifier.
ΚΠ
1954 Econ. Devel. & Cultural Chage 2 371 Production of micro power plants in France was held up by the question of whether such plants are required in France.
1963 Science 17 May 794/2 He has continued to work on micropower problems and has produced plans for a hand-wound generator.
1996 Wired Oct. 80/3 Micropower plants can capture waste heat for water and space heating, making them 80 to 90 percent efficient.
2003 Economist 16 Aug. 57/2 The trend away from giant power plants and toward micropower means that this market will soar.
micropulsation n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pʌlˈseɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊpəlˈseɪʃ(ə)n/
a small oscillation in the strength of the earth's magnetic field.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > magnetism > earth magnetism > [noun] > small oscillation
micropulsation1949
1949 Proc. Japan Acad. 25 ix. 24 A remarkable micropulsation of dH/dt at the sudden commencement [of the magnetic storm] frequently took places [sic] during the summer and equinox, while it is weak during the winter.
1978 Nature 13 July 121/2 It is difficult to establish the exact nature of the relationship between auroral pulsations and fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field, called micropulsations.
microrhabd n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)rabd/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌræbd/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌræbd/
Zoology a rodlike microsclere found in certain sponges.
ΚΠ
1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 423/1 The flesh spicules when present are usually microrabds [sic] or spirasters.
1898 A. Sedgwick Student's Text-bk. Zool. I. 85 Reduced asters, in which the actines are few and variable. Thus we get microrhabds.
1992 Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde 62 3 A worldwide study of Asteropus specimens resulted in the conclusion that two species groups exist, namely ‘simplex’-like species (with true sanidasters), and ‘sarasinorum’-like species (with spiny microrhabds).
microseptum n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈsɛptəm/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈsɛptəm/
Zoology rare (perh. Obsolete) a small imperfect or sterile septum or mesentery of a cnidarian.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Microseptum, a small imperfect or sterile septum or mesentery of an actinozoan.
1968 J. Bouillon in M. Florkin & B. T. Scheer Chem. Zool. II. ii. i. 92 Fertile macrosepta and sterile microsepta can be distinguished.
† microsomatous adj. Obsolete rare designating a beetle of small size.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Microsomatus, applied by Goldfuss, Ficinus and Carus, to a Family..of Coleoptera, containing those that are of very small size: microsomatous.
microspermous adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈspəːməs/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈspərməs/
[compare Hellenistic Greek μικρόσπερμος with small seeds] Botany rare having small seeds or grains.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Microspermus, having very small seeds or grains, as the Trichlochoa microsperma: microspermous.
1954 E. J. H. Corner in Phytomorphology 4 273/1 The microspermous orchid contrasts with the megaspermous palm.
1970 Ann. Rev. Ecol. & Systematics 1 330 In his megaspermous group he [sc. Corner] included Annonaceae, Bombacaceae, [etc.]..; and among microspermous families, Asclepiadaceae, Compositae, Ericaceae, [etc.].
microspike n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)spʌɪk/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌspaɪk/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌspaɪk/
Cell Biology a transient spike-like projection from a cell surface, supported by actin filaments.
ΚΠ
1962 P. Weiss in J. M. Allen Molec. Control Cellular Activity i. 16 These projections from the cytoplasmic margin [of cells] are supported by one or several rather rigid core filaments (‘microspikes’) of variable lengths.
1999 Exper. Cell Res. 248 439 Overexpression of syndecan-2 lacking the extracellular domain increased the number of microspikes on the cell surface but failed to induce filopodia.
microspined adj.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)spʌɪnd/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌspaɪnd/
bearing tiny spines or spicules.
ΚΠ
1881 P. M. Duncan in Jrnl. Linn. Soc. 15 324 These..have flesh-spicula acerate, fusiform, curved and microspined.
1993 Scientia Marina 57 367 The first group..is mainly characterized by tornostrongyloid megascleres, the presence of two categories of placochelae, and microspined pseudoisochelae.
microstomatous adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈstəʊmətəs/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈstɒmətəs/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈstoʊmədəs/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈstɑmədəs/
Zoology rare having a small mouth.
ΚΠ
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Microstomatus, applied..to a Family (Microstomata nom. pl. n.) of the Pisces Zeugopterygii, comprehending those which have a small mouth: microstomatous.
1986 Acta Protozool. 25 147 The transformation of the..protozoan Tetrahymena vorax..from a microstomatous (small-mouthed) bacteria-feeder into a macrostomatous (large-mouthed)..carnivore can be induced.
microstome n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)stəʊm/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌstoʊm/
†(a) Botany the small opening of the capsule of certain mosses (rare); (b) Zoology a form of certain ciliate protozoans of the genus Tetrahymena that has a small oral apparatus and feeds on bacteria (frequently attributive).Sense (a) is apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Microstome, in bot., a small mouth or orifice, as that belonging to the capsule of certain mosses.
1953 Parasitology 43 57/2 The additional terms macrostome form and microstome form will be employed for the two extreme stages when dimorphism is exhibited.
1983 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) B. 301 359 The free-living species T. patula, T. vorax and T. paravorax..possess both macrostome and microstome forms.
† microstomous adj. [compare ancient Greek μικρόστομος having a small mouth or opening] Obsolete rare having a small opening or mouth.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Microstomus, applied to moss, of which the opening of the urn is small and contracted, as the Gymnostomum microstomum. Applied to an animal with a small mouth, as the Pristipomus microstomus..; also to a univalve shell of which the opening is small..: microstomous.
† microstylar adj. Architecture Obsolete rare (of a building or style of architecture) having a separate order of small columns to each storey.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1882 Imperial Dict. (new ed.) Microstylar, having a small style or column.—Microstylar architecture, a form of architecture in which there is a separate small order to each floor.
† microtylote n. Zoology Obsolete rare a microsclere in the form of a rod with a knob at each end, found in certain sponges.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 417 (in figure) Microscleres..r, microtylote.
microvan n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)van/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌvæn/
Motoring a very small van, usually with a sliding door on either side and a hatchback door at the rear.
ΚΠ
1981 Japan Econ. Jrnl. (Nexis) 29 Sept. 7 Shipments of Japanese pickups and micro vans to Britain in the January–July period of this year alone reached 24, 500 units.
1998 Plumbing, Heating & Air Movement News July 34/2 Dispatch vans offer the in-town manoeuvrability of a microvan.
microvascular adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈvaskjᵿlə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈvæskjələr/
of or relating to the smallest blood vessels.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > vascular system > blood vessel > [adjective] > small
exhalant (artery, vessel, etc.)1771
microvascular1959
1959 Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 82 236 Can anything be learned about the mechanism that damages blood vessels in diabetes mellitus by studying the dynamic morphology of the superficial microvascular system in man?
1989 Q. Jrnl. Med. 72 684 The authors conclude that these results define a group of patients with impaired coronary vasodilator reserve associated with a vasoconstrictor response to ergometrine and they suggested the term ‘microvascular angina’ for such patients.
2000 New Scientist 22 Jan. 87/1 (advt.) Human eosinophil transmigration through pulmonary and dermal microvascular endothelial cells.
microvasculature n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈvaskjᵿlətʃə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈvæskjələtʃər/
the smallest blood vessels (esp. capillaries and very small arterioles) collectively.
ΚΠ
1964 New Eng. Jrnl. Med. 270 832 (title) Rheology of blood in the microvasculature.
1967 Brain 90 692 The responses of the microvasculature and microcirculation to ischaemia do not differ qualitatively in different species.
1985 Stroke 16 505 This event may reflect altered patterns of the neuronal regulation of brain microvasculature.
2000 Intensive Care Med. 26 336 Inhaled NO exerts its main vascular effects in the pulmonary microvasculature.
microwire n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌwʌɪə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌwaɪ(ə)r/
very fine wire; spec. very fine glass-coated wire.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > metal in specific state or form > [noun] > wire > types of
silver wire14..
white wire1463
virginal wire1662
pin-wire1674
binding wire1767
pinion wire1767
electric wire1819
music wire1823
gutta-percha-wire1876
No. eight1876
picture wire1876
number eight1952
microwire1953
plated wire1960
nanowire1990
1953 Science 6 Mar. 249/2 Microwire loops..provide a convenient means for applying one or more drops.
1963 Times 21 May 20/2 Britain's newest export—glass-sheathed copper microwire 50 times thinner than a human hair.
1994 Infrared Physics & Technol. 35 709 Recently we have succeeded in making a microwire array by using an anodic alumina (Al2O3) film as a host material.
microxea n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrɒkˈsiːə/
,
/mʌɪˈkrɒksɪə/
,
U.S. /maɪˈkrɑksiə/
,
/ˌmaɪkrɑkˈsiə/
Zoology a spear-shaped microsclere found in certain sponges.
ΚΠ
1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 417 (in figure) Microscleres..n, oxyaster;..q, the same, with two actines (a centrotylote microxea).
1924 Proc. Royal Soc. B. 97 244 Diacts,..usually straightened out to form microxea.
1980 Jrnl. Morphol. 166 51 The microxea microscleres are apparently secreted in distinct tight bundles (trichodragmas) within a single cell.
† microzoogonidium n. (plural microzoogonidia) Botany Obsolete rare a relatively small zoogonidium.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1882 S. H. Vines tr. J. von Sachs Text-bk. Bot. (ed. 2) i. 257 Other of the cells..give birth to 16 or 32 microzoogonidia.
microzooplankton n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈzuː(ə)ˌplaŋ(k)tən/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈzəʊəˌplaŋ(k)tən/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)zuː(ə)ˈplaŋ(k)tən/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)zəʊəˈplaŋ(k)tən/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈzu(ə)ˌplæŋkt(ə)n/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈzoʊəˌplæŋkt(ə)n/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌzu(ə)ˈplæŋkt(ə)n/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌzoʊəˈplæŋkt(ə)n/
Biology very small zooplankton, spec. within the size range of 20–200 μm.
ΚΠ
1964 Science 13 Nov. 923 The smaller species which are not retained by plankton nets, the microzooplankton, are often overlooked by marine ecologists.
1994 Nature 24 Mar. 296/1 Microscopic examination of seawater samples..showed about a 50 per cent increase in microzooplankton.
† microzoospore n. Botany Obsolete rare a relatively small zoospore.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1875 Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. 15 396 Micro~zoospores (which conjugate, but otherwise in most cases appear incapable of germination).
b.
(a) Forming terms in which micro- indicates a reduced size or scale, or a reduction in some property of the second element, often in contrast with a corresponding term beginning with macro-.
(i)
microconstituent n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kənˈstɪtjʊənt/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kənˈstɪtʃʊənt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊkənˈstɪtʃəwənt/
ΚΠ
1901 Taylor & White U.S. Patent 668, 269 19 Feb. When treated with higher heats..the steel of the tools show under the microscope a distinctly larger grained structure in many cases interspersed with austenite, a micro-constituent of steel discovered by Osmond.
1930 Times 29 Mar. 17/1 The metallurgy of steel castings, and the discovery of about 25 micro-constituents of steel.
1991 Acta Metallurgica et Materialia 39 2747/1 The γ segregate grows epitaxially into the α giving origin to a ‘cellular’ microconstituent.
micro-event n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrəʊᵻˌvɛnt/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊəˌvɛnt/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊiˌvɛnt/
ΚΠ
1926 Philos. Rev. 35 251 One of the commonest facts of nature is the summarizing of a discrete series of elements into new unitary wholes. Thus what Lloyd Morgan calls the rhythmic whirl of micro-events, which constitute atoms, are again unified into molecules.
1949 A. Pap Elem. Analyt. Philos. vii. 137 The belief in micro-events involving micro-objects which are the hidden causes of observable events.
1956 Science 22 June 1135/2 Amplification of microevents to macrophenomena seems to play a role in biological happenings.
1994 Sociol. of Educ. 67 109 (note) Equity in single-sex schools could confront the larger issue of societal sexism, rather than the microevents on which we have chosen to focus here.
microinstability n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊɪnstəˈbɪlᵻti/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌɪnstəˈbɪlədi/
ΚΠ
1962 W. B. Thompson Introd. Plasma Physics viii. 235 Since the wavelength is so small, this instability is almost independent of the macroscopic geometry, and represents one of the ‘micro-instabilities’.
1971 Science Year 1972 222 Fusion researchers have been trying to find magnetic-bottle configurations that will be able to reduce the microinstabilities to acceptable proportions.
1992 S. P. Maran Astron. & Astrophysics Encycl. 551/1 Plasma instabilities are categorized as macroinstabilities (derivable from a fluid description) and microinstabilities (derivable only from a kinetic description).
micromechanism n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmɛkənɪz(ə)m/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmɛkn̩ɪz(ə)m/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈmɛkəˌnɪz(ə)m/
ΚΠ
1943 Mind 52 138 Certain statistical assumptions provide the very elaborate deductive connection between this micromechanism of Newtonian mechanics and the macromechanism of the gas laws.
1976 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 349 258 The internal stress field should be independent of the detailed micromechanism of deformation.
1999 Materials World July 439/1 I also attended the ‘Micromechanics and micromechanisms of deformation and fracture’ symposium.
micropowder n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpaʊdə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌpaʊdər/
ΚΠ
1953 Electronic Engin. 25 233/1 Micropowder magnets can be made—after the powder has been produced—in a great variety of shapes.
1965 New Scientist 6 May 368/1 This metal could be either in very finely divided state (micropowder) or else as a sintered iron oxide compound.
1992 Instruments & Exper. Techniques 35 592 A micropowder jet target made from Mo, W, Ni..is described.
micro-sociology n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)səʊʃɪˈɒlədʒi/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)səʊsɪˈɒlədʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌsoʊsiˈɑlədʒi/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌsoʊʃ(i)ˈɑlədʒi/
ΚΠ
1940 Amer. Sociol. Rev. 5 800 He distinguishes between the microsociology of law (law in relation to the internal characteristics of association, i.e., types of relation and degree of association) [etc.].
1944 Man 44 21/1 Much of the anthropologist's work has lain hitherto in what may be called micro-sociology—the study of small groups or of small units in larger groups.
1974 Times Lit. Suppl. 22 Nov. 1304/1 Micro-sociology, indeed any serious sociology of an analytic kind, has to begin with a study of the most elementary social relations.
microsystem n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌsɪstᵻm/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌsɪstəm/
ΚΠ
1940 Ann. Rev. Biochem. 9 609 Since this is exactly the field served by the widely used Warburg manometric apparatus, and since the sensitivity of the diver method is about 1500 times as great as that apparatus, many possibilities of application to the microsystem exist.
1993 Rotarian June 10/3 More and more of these miniature machines, even microsystems, will enter the industrial scene.
(ii)
microsociological adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)səʊʃ(ɪ)əˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)səʊsɪəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌsoʊsiəˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌsoʊʃ(i)əˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1941 Ethics 52 32 To complete the sociological investigation of the problem of social law, we have now to pass from these considerations which we might call ‘micro-sociological’, to those of ‘macro-sociology’.
1983 M. Mackie Exploring Gender Relations 316/2 (Gloss.) Symbolic interactionism, microsociological theoretical perspective..which emphasizes interaction, language, and the self.
(b)
microclastic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈklastɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈklæstɪk/
Geology finely clastic.
ΚΠ
1888 J. J. H. Teall Brit. Petrogr. 439 Microclastic, an epithet applied by Naumann to such clastic rocks as are composed of small fragments.
1975 G. Anderson Coring ii. 29 Microclastic micrite is characterized by dull luster, occasional fossil fragments, silt-sized quartz grains, and perhaps a few calcite grains.
1982 Scientia Geol. Sinica 87 The temperature of homogenization is 980–1140°C for acidic rocks (granite, adamellite), 980–1135°C for volcanic rocks (quartz-keratophyre, lava, microclastic tuff lava),..and 1120–1450°C for basalts.
microcosmopolitan n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kɒzməˈpɒlᵻt(ə)n/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌkɑzməˈpɑlətn/
(a) a person who regards himself or herself as a citizen of every part of a particular society; (b) a citizen of a defined and limited world.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > patriotism > nationalism > [noun] > cosmopolitanism > person > of defined or limited world
microcosmopolitan1938
1938 S. Beckett Murphy xi. 240 It was as though the microcosmopolitans had locked him out.
1966 Punch 12 Jan. 50/1 Liberal Jewish New Yorkers..are cosmopolitans, but New York is their cosmos. They are really microcosmopolitans.
microcredit n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkrɛdɪt/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkrɛdət/
Finance = microlending n. (attributive in quots.).
ΚΠ
1988 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 24 Nov. v. 14 Kolstad..also assists ACCION International, a private sector Peace Corps, a micro-credit network making small, low-interest loans to the self-employed of 14 nations.
1997 Financial Post 13 Feb. 22/1 At the world's first Microcredit Summit held in Washington last week, participating organizations and governments signed off on a campaign to raise US$21.6 billion by 2005 to provide credit to 100 million of the world's poorest families.
microdistribution n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dɪstrᵻˈbjuːʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃ(ə)n/
distribution on a small scale (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1944 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) B. 231 341 The field which is actually observed will be only one particular micro-distribution or micro-state.
1947 Jrnl. Ecol. 35 139 The specific topographical distribution (micro-distribution) of an ecotypic plant species or of a plant community is a parallel function of its general geographical distribution (macro-distribution).
1971 Nature 25 June 524/2 So far it has not been possible to study the micro-distribution of lead in materials, except by using electron microprobes or rather crude microchemical techniques.
1990 Jrnl. Plankton Res. 12 1310 A similar approach was used to investigate the micro-distribution of anchovy eggs and larvae in Sagami Bay.
microelectric adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻˈlɛktrɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊəˈlɛktrɪk/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊiˈlɛktrɪk/
of or relating to small electrical effects.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Micro-electric, having electric properties in a very small degree.—Micro-electric metrology, the measurement of minute electric quantities.
1963 Science 15 Mar. 961/2 (advt.) Micro-electric elements.
1976 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 281 449 Plasma instabilities driven by high energetic beams can increase the micro-electric fields considerably.
1983 Science 18 Nov. 798/1 Electrical stimulation of single cells with intracellular microelectric recording.
microelectromechanical adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻˌlɛktrə(ʊ)mᵻˈkanᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊəˌlɛktrəməˈkænək(ə)l/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊiˌlɛktrəməˈkænək(ə)l/
containing or consisting of miniature electronic and mechanical components; esp. in microelectromechanical system (abbreviated MEMS).
ΚΠ
1987 Proc. IEEE Micro Robots & Teleoperators Workshop (title) Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems:..Design, performance and fabrication.
1991 Science 29 Nov. 1338/2 The device becomes a sort of microelectromechanical system unto itself.
1998 New Scientist 4 July 33/2 One of Brown's most promising designs consists of a tiny silicon membrane that makes up half of a tiny capacitor, an example of a microelectromechanical device.
microembolization n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊˌɛmbəlʌɪˈzeɪʃn/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrəʊˌɛmbl̩ʌɪˈzeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌɛmbələˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌɛmbəˌlaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
Medicine embolization of or involving small blood vessels, as a therapeutic or pathological process.
ΚΠ
1970 Arch. Otolaryngol. 92 213 (title) Experimental microembolization of cochlear vessels.
1998 Arch. Neurol. 55 1475 Microembolization is common in patients with severe symptomatic carotid artery stenosis and during and after cardiac surgery.
microemulsion n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəᵻˈmʌlʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊəˈməlʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊiˈməlʃ(ə)n/
Physics and Chemistry an emulsion in which the droplet size is very small or relatively small.
ΚΠ
1966 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 291 500 For the formation of microemulsions of water and oil the surface active agent must be the same shape as the oil molecule.
1992 New Scientist 25 Jan. 40/2 If a solution of surfactant is at the right concentration, it forms a colloidal system—a ‘microemulsion’—with equal volumes of oil and water, which is then swept out.
microfabrication n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)fabrᵻˈkeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌfæbrəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
the manufacture of very small objects, esp. microchips or micromachines.
ΚΠ
1970 Science 20 Feb. 1179 (advt.) The LPM system is a proven tool not only for precision microfabrication but also for the balancing of small gyros [etc.].
1997 New Scientist 29 Nov. 70/2 (advt.) The post..involves silicon device fabrication in the microfabrication facility cleanroom.
microgeographic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dʒɪəˈɡrafɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌdʒiəˈɡræfɪk/
of, relating to, or involving geography on a small or local scale; geographically localized.
ΚΠ
1939 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 25 311 (title) Microgeographic variation in Drosophila pseudoöbscura.
1940 Ecology 21 378/1 Microgeographic differences could exist, these being caused by different edaphic conditions, such as warmer microtemperature near the food plant.
1991 R. S. K. Barnes & K. H. Mann Fund. Aquatic Ecol. (ed. 2) ix. 173/2 Some cases of sympatric speciation..involve microgeographic separation of individuals that do not normally stray far from home territory.
microgeographical adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dʒɪəˈɡrafᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌdʒiəˈɡræfək(ə)l/
= microgeographic adj.
ΚΠ
1942 Ecology 23 379 For each of the twenty-one forms..we are given the racial diagnosis,..description of individual variation, of microgeographical variation, geographical and ecological distribution [etc.].
1999 Trans. Royal Soc. Trop. Med. & Hygiene 93 21 Allele frequencies differed in both villages, indicating considerable microgeographical heterogeneity of parasite populations.
microglossary n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈɡlɒs(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈɡlɔsəri/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈɡlɑsəri/
a glossary or dictionary of terms relating to a particular subject, esp. one used to facilitate computerized translation within that subject.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > linguistic unit > lexicography > [noun] > glossary > specific
microglossary1955
1955 W. N. Locke & A. D. Booth Machine Translation Lang. 11 The main deficiency at the present time is the absence of adequate field dictionaries for various technical fields and for all relevant languages. Preparation of these microglossaries..is important, though tedious work.
1956 Nature 7 Jan. 1/1 The grammatical structure of the language must be investigated in detail and micro-glossaries—stem-ending dictionaries in the specified subject—must be compiled and coded.
1983 Med. Informatics 8 19 With the development and publication of a microglossary containing terms unique to animals (Snovet), I anticipate that more veterinary institutions will adopt this terminology.
microheterogeneity n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)dʒᵻˈniːᵻti/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)dʒᵻˈneɪᵻti/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌhɛdərədʒəˈniədi/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌhɛtrədʒəˈniədi/
Chemistry and Biochemistry small-scale heterogeneity, esp. in a complex molecule such as a protein or nucleic acid.
ΚΠ
1954 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 226 433 Recent differential X-ray studies of glass by Clark indicate ‘regions of micro-heterogeneity’ in the melt.
1962 Science 19 Oct. 414/2 The deformation curves for some glasses have two plateaus, probably owing to the microheterogeneity of these glasses.
1991 EMBO Jrnl. 9 2820/1 We noticed an Ile (ATC) to Ser (AGC) exchange at position 246.., possibly due to microheterogeneity of reverse transcriptase generated cDNA clones.
micrologic n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəˈlɒdʒɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkrəˈlɑdʒɪk/
(a) reasoning or logic confined to a very small area of study; (b) Computing microelectronic logic (see logic n. 4); frequently attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > [noun] > logic > micro-electronic
micrologic1885
1885 Mind 10 249 The power to take the whole body into account had been lost in easier micrologic medical specialities.
1960 Electronics 25 Nov. 107/1 (heading) Micrologic computer.
1965 New Scientist 25 Mar. 769/1 Marconi..has a pilot ‘micro-logic’ circuit manufacturing plant at its laboratories.
1971 J. H. Smith Digital Logic i. 4 The Integrated Circuit. This is often referred to as micro logic.
1992 Lit. & Ling. Computing 7 72/1 All computer science is nothing other than the mind demanding for itself to..mathematically formalize its macro-logic intuitions into it elementary micro-logic units.
micro-order n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrəʊˌɔːdə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌɔrdər/
Computing a microinstruction produced by a microprogram.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > programming language > program or code > [noun] > instruction > micro
micro-order1951
microinstruction1959
1951 M. V. Wilkes in Manchester Univ. Computer Inaugural Conf. 17/2 Each row of rectifiers in matrix A corresponds to one of the micro-orders in the sequence required to perform a machine operation.
1972 D. Lewin Theory & Design Digital Computers iv. 71 The main function of the control unit is to decode the order digits of an instruction word, thereby generating the necessary sequence of control waveforms (micro-orders) to allow the instruction to be executed.
micropayment n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpeɪm(ə)nt/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌpeɪmənt/
Computing payment of a small or prorated sum for each access to a service, esp. on the internet (as opposed to payment by subscription, etc.); a payment made or collected under such a system.
ΚΠ
1994 Network World (Nexis) 12 Dec. 49 Publishers..will not be successful on-line until Internet providers deliver systems for ‘micropayment’. This would be a mechanism that allows an end user to call up articles and then automatically be billed a small fee.
2000 N.Y. Times 18 May g11/4 Mr. Gilmore..would rather have people pay for privacy protection, preferably with micropayments (each a fraction of a cent) for each encrypted e-mail message, than accept the free products that come with advertising.
microprocess n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈprəʊsɛs/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈprɑˌsɛs/
a process that occurs on a very small scale.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > [noun] > a form or kind of operation > on a minute scale
microprocess1936
1936 Mind 45 275 Jordan's attempt to account for it in terms of an intensification of acausal micro-processes is not supported by the facts.
1962 Times 13 Apr. 19/7 Those structural details and micro-processes upon which the functioning of living matter depends.
1988 Appl. Linguistics 9 109 Our study of the microprocess of syntax learning has not taken us further than appreciating its complexity.
microray n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)reɪ/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌreɪ/
now historical = microwave n. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > radio wave > microwave > [noun]
microray1931
microwave1931
1931 Electrician 3 Apr. 509/2 The great advance made..has opened up the range of wave-lengths between 10 cm. and 1 m. for practical use... These short wave-lengths have been designated ‘micro-rays’.
1937 Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc. 41 47 The micro-ray equipments used on the commercial Lympne–St. Inglevert and the experimental Escalles–St. Margaret's [radio] links.
1981 Sci. Amer. July 6/1 [In] July, 1931...oscillations of wavelengths as short as 10 centimeters, designated ‘micro-rays’, were used for the first time to provide a high-quality two-way radio-telephone circuit.
microrelief n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)rᵻˈliːf/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊrəˈlif/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊriˈlif/
Physical Geography local and small variations in the elevation of an area of land.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > [noun] > relief
relief1836
microrelief1926
1926 Jrnl. Ecol. 14 180 The altitudinal zonation, as shown by the microrelief, of the plant communities of meadowland has long been studied in Russia.
1938 Geogr. Jrnl. 92 271 [Articles] deal with glaciation, with melting and formation of micro-relief, and with run-off and thawing of glaciers.
1982 W. R. Barker & P. J. M. Greenslade Evolution Flora & Fauna Arid Austral. 3 The gilgai microrelief, where small changes (2 cm.) in the level of the surface can redistribute rainfall and produce different vegetational assemblages.
microsimulation n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)sɪmjᵿˈleɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌsɪmjəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
Economics (a method for producing) a statistical model of microeconomic activity, esp. based on detailed demographic profiles of individuals, businesses, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > management of national resources > [noun] > political economy > branches or models of
statics1848
classical economics1885
bioeconomics1913
welfare economics1920
econometry1926
econometrics1931
microeconomics1943
macroeconomics1945
development economics1959
microsimulation1966
public choice1968
1966 Public Health Service Publ. (U.S. Dept. Health) No. 1000 (2nd Ser. No. 13) (title) Computer simulation of hospital discharges; micro-simulation of measurement errors in hospital discharge data reported in the Health Interview Survey.
1972 Times 8 Sept. 21/5 Papers on the socioeconomic microsimulation of the United States household sector.
1989 Surv. Current Business Mar. 62/1 These data have been used in microsimulation models to provide us with increasingly detailed insights into the effects of government policy changes on economic behavior.
microstratification n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)stratᵻfᵻˈkeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌstrædəfəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
small-scale stratification, esp. within a larger stratum; a stratum of this scale.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > lake > [noun] > stratification according to temperature
stratification1860
epilimnion1910
hypolimnion1910
microstratification1931
metalimnion1935
mixolimnion1937
monimolimnion1937
1931 Jrnl. Ecol. 19 240 Alsterberg..has shown that, apart from the macro-stratification, there exists a micro-stratification immediately above the bottom, conditioned by the processes of decay proceeding them.
1937 Science 26 Feb. 224/1 (heading) Microstratification of the waters of inland lakes in summer.
1991 Oikos 62 110 It is argued..that members of a feeding guild assemblage can have specific effects on ecosystem processes through microstratification, particularly in stratified habitats such as soils.
microswitch n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)swɪtʃ/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌswɪtʃ/
a switch which can be operated rapidly by a small movement.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > control(s) > [noun] > switch > types of
pin switch1865
limit switch1886
press-key1896
rocker switch1898
pressel switch1916
snap switch1926
toggle switch1938
microswitch1941
1941 Science 6 June 552/1 A roller leaf micro-switch is activated.
1967 E. Chambers Photolitho-offset ix. 128 The exposed film enters the processor at the film feeding station, the film activating a microswitch that starts a metering pump.
1992 CU Amiga May 175/1 In-built microswitches ensure a positive feedback and the suction cups allow for table-top play.
microtheory n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌθɪəri/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌθiəri/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌθɪri/
theory concerning small-scale phenomena or a limited area of a wider subject; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > speculation > confirmation of hypothesis, theory > [noun] > on particular aspect
microtheory1947
1947 Econometrica 15 59 It was shown that the theory of mass behavior (macrotheory) could be deduced from the laws of behavior of gaseous particles (microtheory).
1956 W. H. Whyte Organization Man (1957) 28 Perhaps an overall theory of behavior is..a will-o'-the-wisp. If so, our efforts may still be rewarded by the salvage of microtheories about limited areas.
1986 Canad. Jrnl. Linguistics 31 158 What is being offered is a macro-theory of language, instead of..micro-theories.
microviscosity n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)vɪˈskɒsᵻti/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊvᵻˈskɑsədi/
the viscosity of a very small quantity of fluid, esp. that of the contents of cell or a cell membrane.
ΚΠ
1960 Jrnl. Chem. Physics 33 87/1 [They]..suggested that in solutions the viscosity η be replaced by a microviscosity ημ = ηf·(rsolvent)/(rsolute) [etc.].
1980 Jrnl. Polymer Sci. 18 339 (title) The mobility profile around polymer segments as calculated from microviscosity data on polymer solutions and gels.
1999 Amer. Jrnl. Hypertension 12 315 The altered membrane microviscosity seen in hypertensive subjects reflects the changes of membrane lipid composition.
c. Fashion. Denoting a woman's garment of extreme shortness. See also micro-mini n.1, micro n.2
(a)
micro-shift n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ʃɪft/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌʃɪft/
ΚΠ
1967 Punch 1 Mar. 308/2 The latest collection included a transparent micro-shift worn over an emaciated G-string.
micro-skirt n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)skəːt/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌskərt/
ΚΠ
1966 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 29 Aug. 11 Mini-skirts, Micro-skirts, Maxi-skirts—the fashion battle rages on in London.
1967 Punch 21 June 893/2 Micro-skirts are designed to keep elders in their place, for no woman over forty can wear them without looking idiotic.
1973 J. Di Mona Last Man at Arlington (1974) viii. 73 A young blonde..in a microskirt.
2000 Times 25 Oct. 3/3 Girls who wear faded Ibizan tans and dance in a uniform of fluorescent bikini tops and micro skirts.
(b)
micro-skirted adj.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌskəːtᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌskərdəd/
ΚΠ
1966 Playboy Dec. 143/2 Oh, microskirted miss,..You'll freeze your London derrière.
1993 N.Y. Times Mag. 7 Nov. 66/2 Visitors not inclined to..rent a microskirted companion for the night.
2.
a. Forming the names of branches of the sciences and technology (and words derived from these) that employ microscopy, or (later, and more generally) that deal with their subject on a small scale.
(a)
† micro-crystallogeny n. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1856 S. Highley in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. 4 124 Micro-Crystallogeny.
microcrystallography n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)krɪstəˈlɒɡrəfi/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)krɪstlˈɒɡrəfi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌkrɪstəˈlɑɡrəfi/
ΚΠ
1856 S. Highley in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. 4 223 Micro-Crystallography.
1970 Ann. Rev. Ecol. & Systematics 1 160 Paper chromatography, which for lichen substances is a relatively crude technique compared to the elegance of microcrystallography.
1997 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94 12267/1 Synchrotron microcrystallography will provide a way of accurately characterizing structural features..in many poorly defined minerals.
microecology n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻˈkɒlədʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊiˈkɑlədʒi/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊəˈkɑlədʒi/
ΚΠ
1947 Ecology 28 215/2 Mount Desert Island would appear to be a goldmine for one interested in that branch of science in its beginning, microecology.
1963 New Society 3 Oct. 26/1 A pioneering work in the micro-ecology of housing estates.
1998 Ann. Surg. 228 748 Lactobacilli constitute an integral part of the normal gastrointestinal microecology.
microengineering n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊɛn(d)ʒᵻˈnɪərɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌɛndʒəˈnɪrɪŋ/
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > engineering > [noun] > branches of
waterwork?a1560
civil engineeringc1770
water engineering1787
millwrighting1821
engineering science1826
hydraulic engineering1835
river engineering1842
structural engineering1859
industrial engineering1860
chemical engineering1861
sanitary engineering1868
biological engineering1898
control engineering1914
radio engineering1915
environmental engineering1946
systems engineering1946
bioengineering1950
value engineering1959
biomedical engineering1961
geoengineering1962
macro-engineering1964
microengineering1964
terotechnology1970
hydroengineering1971
civil1975
mechatronics1976
knowledge engineering1977
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > [noun] > microelectronics > branches of
microcircuitry1959
microengineering1964
1964 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) B. 247 6 These micro-engineering problems have been resolved in different ways by the various classes of arthropods.
1967 Punch 4 Jan. 1/2 We live in an age of computers, micro-engineering and microelectronics and it is becoming a positive disadvantage to have large limbs and digits.
1988 Nucl. News 1 Apr. 61 The company's involvement in atomic technologies, including fusion energy, nuclear reactors and reactor fuel, microengineering of advanced materials [etc.].
1998 Scout Rep. Archives (Internet Scout Project) (Electronic text) 21 Jan. This site provides an in-depth introduction to microengineering.
micro-geologist n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dʒɪˈɒlədʒɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊdʒiˈɑlədʒəst/
ΚΠ
1875 J. W. Dawson Life's Dawn on Earth v. 104 The micro-geologist well knows how..mineral matter in solution can penetrate the smallest openings that the microscope can detect.
microgeology n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dʒɪˈɒlədʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊdʒiˈɑlədʒi/
ΚΠ
1857 Amer. Jrnl. Sci. 74 434 Micro-geology of Ehrenberg.
1941 Bull. Amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists 25 1219 It is true..that Ehrenberg as early as 1854 employed the term ‘microgeology’ in essentially the same sense as we now use the word micropaleontology.
† micro-metallographer n. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1895 Nature 15 Aug. 367/2 It may be that the micro-metallographer has much to learn from the Japanese.
† micro-metallography n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1895 Nature 15 Aug. 367/1 The progress which has been made in micro-metallography during the past ten years.
1895 Proc. Royal Soc. 58 59 (title) Micro-metallography of iron.
micrometallurgy n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)mᵻˈtalədʒi/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmɛtlˌəːdʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈmɛdlˌərdʒi/
ΚΠ
1899 Proc. Royal Soc. 65 85 (heading) Experiments in micro-metallurgy:—Effects of strain.
1958 Engineering 11 Apr. 458/1 The accomplishments in micrometallurgy at the laboratory soon led to the determination of some of the properties of the new metal.
1978 Nature 16 Nov. 306/1 A new micrometallurgy is introduced in which the conditions for grain boundary diffusion..is treated over depth and surface dimensions of a fraction of a micrometer.
micromineralogy n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)mɪnəˈralədʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌmɪnəˈrɑlədʒi/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌmɪnəˈrælədʒi/
ΚΠ
1856 S. Highley in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. 4 220 (title) Contributions to Micro-Mineralogy.
1946 Nature 2 Nov. 621/2 As they were preparing phase-contrast equipment for biological work, it would be of interest to determine whether the same methods would be of value in micro-mineralogy.
1953 Jrnl. Soil Sci. 4 194 (title) The micro-mineralogy of North Wales soils.
1986 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 320 305 Other major areas of research involve problems in polymer science, micromineralogy, ceramics, [etc.].
micropalaeontologist n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpalɪənˈtɒlədʒɪst/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpeɪlɪənˈtɒlədʒɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌpeɪliənˈtɑlədʒəst/
ΚΠ
1927 Science 20 Sept. 295/2 He is one of America's most active micro-paleontologists.
1991 New Scientist 9 Feb. (Suppl.) 10/3 A micropalaeontologist, he put forward a research proposal to look at the distribution of nanofossils aged between 145 and 208 million years.
micropalaeontology n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpalɪənˈtɒlədʒi/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpeɪlɪənˈtɒlədʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌpeɪliənˈtɑlədʒi/
ΚΠ
1883 A. H. Foord (title) Contributions to the micropalæontology of the Cambro-Silurian rocks of Canada. Part 1.
1928 Jrnl. Paleontol. 2 158 Micropaleontology should, in no way, radically depart from the general field and fundamental principles of paleontology. It is merely a study of the smaller fossils whose characteristic features are studied by the aid of a microscope.
1957 New Biol. 24 11 Micro-palaeontology, which is mainly the study of fossil foraminifera, has become an important and highly specialized profession.
1989 NERC News 8 7 The junction underlying Chalk Marl..can be fixed..by micropalaeontology.
micropathologist n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pəˈθɒlədʒɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊpəˈθɑlədʒəst/
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Micropathologist.
1938 Biometrika 29 256 Material is accumulated by means of which the micropathologist can deduce the chronological order of the morbid changes as between organ and organ and between one and another part of the same organ.
micropathology n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pəˈθɒlədʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊpəˈθɑlədʒi/
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Micropathology.
1915 Science 18 June 916/1 Dr. Townsend's lecture was illustrated by lantern slides..of the micro-pathology, of the Phlebotomus.
1933 L. S. Penrose Mental Defect iv. 43 A natural inference to be drawn is that..pathological changes are..only detectable microscopically... We are here faced..with the cerebral micropathology of dementia præcox.
1960 Times 14 Oct. 15/7 Micro-pathology and analysis.
1987 Arch. Dermatol. Res. 279 327/1 The systematic examination of the morphology and micropathology of the initial lymphatics..in human skin biopsy specimens under the scanning electron microscope.
micro-petrologist n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pᵻˈtrɒlədʒɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊpəˈtrɑlədʒəst/
ΚΠ
1879 F. Rutley Study of Rocks xiii. 268 A determination of their precise origin is a difficult exercise for micro-petrologists.
micro-petrology n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pᵻˈtrɒlədʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊpəˈtrɑlədʒi/
ΚΠ
1879 F. Rutley Study of Rocks vii. 47 The special study of micro-petrology.
1908 Science 18 Sept. 374/2 It presents such material of a general character..in a manner..within the comprehension of those not thoroughly trained in..micro-petrology.
1925 Amer. Hist. Rev. 30 618 Dr. Merrill states..the development of seven great problems, or subjects,..giving a chapter to each; viz, the Fossil Foot-prints of the Connecticut Valley;..the Development of Micro-petrology [etc.].
† microphysiography n. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Microphysiography.
microphysiologist n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)fɪzɪˈɒlədʒɪst/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌfɪziˈɑlədʒəst/
ΚΠ
1974 Sci. Amer. May 136/3 Two clever micro~physiologists have measured the power involved, and they conclude that one gliding algal filament..used about 7,300 molecules of ATP per second to move.
microphysiology n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)fɪzɪˈɒlədʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌfɪziˈɑlədʒi/
ΚΠ
1934 G. Kato (title) The microphysiology of nerve.
1952 Science 14 Nov. 3/1 By microphysiology is meant the description of the functional properties of cells that are significant in whole animal physiology, as well as the explanation of these properties in terms of subcellular components down to molecular dimensions.
1953 A. G. E. Pearse Histochem. i. 2 Two contributions of this period described microchemistry and microphysiology; they were Mann's Physiological Histology, 1902, and Macallum's Methoden und Ergerbnisse der Mikrochemie, 1908.
1990 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87 6718/1 The results suggest that the microphysiology of the spine plays a critical role in the induction of this form of LTP [= long-term potentiation].
microzoology n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)zuːˈɒlədʒi/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)zəʊˈɒlədʒi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌzuˈɑlədʒi/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌzoʊˈɑlədʒi/
ΚΠ
1872 Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. 12 409 Microzoology.
1927 Science 18 Mar. 275/1 D. L. Bryee, student of microzoology.
(b)
† microgeological adj. Obsolete rare Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Microgeological, pertaining or belonging to micro-geology.
micromineralogical adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)mɪn(ə)rəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌmɪn(ə)rəˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1856 S. Highley in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. 4 223 The instruments of Micro-Mineralogical research.
1887 Q. Jrnl. Geol. Soc. 44 44 The result is micro-mineralogical change only.
1968 Ecology 49 301/1 In such cases micromineralogical examination would establish the provenance of the soil.
micropalaeontologic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpalɪɒntəˈlɒdʒɪk/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpeɪlɪɒntəˈlɒdʒɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌpeɪliˌɑn(t)əˈlɑdʒɪk/
ΚΠ
1933 Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer. 54 207 Annelid worm jaws..are actually common paleontologic objects. Because of their probable importance in future micropaleontologic investigations, we are..here proposing for these fossils the designation Scolecodonts.
1965 Science 23 July 442/3 Samples from this core used by Ericson for his micropaleontologic examinations..were examined by us.
1980 Science 4 Jan. 64/1 Analysis of micropaleontologic evidence in a deep-sea core in the southwest Indian Ocean indicates that the Agulhas Current was not a dominant feature of this region during glacial intervals.
micropalaeontological adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpalɪɒntəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpeɪlɪɒntəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌpeɪliˌɑn(t)əˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1928 Jrnl. Ecol. 16 370 A micro~palaeontological study of the different horizons in the peat-bogs [of Scandinavia].
1956 Science 31 Aug. 385/2 Vertical variations in frequencies of such stenothermal species in sediment cores are the basis of the micropaleontological method of interpreting the climatic record.
1991 R. Goldring Fossils in Field i. 1 Many follow carefully prepared sampling programmes, in order to collect fresh material for micropalaeontological or geochemical analysis.
micropathological adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)paθəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌpæθəˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Micropathological.
1951 Science 12 Oct. 385/1 3-Methyl-pentyne-ol-3 at 200–300 mg/kg/day..did not produce any gross or micropathological changes.
1990 Jrnl. Otolaryngol. 19 282/2 The occurrence of primary adenoidal Hodgkin's disease in our patient supports the submission of adenoidal tissue for micropathological examination.
b. Forming the names of instruments and techniques (and words derived from or related to these) that are used with or employ a microscope, or (more generally) that are specially designed for dealing with small subjects, effects, or quantities of material.
(a)
microammeter n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊˈamiːtə/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrəʊˈamˌmiːtə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈæ(m)ˌmidər/
ΚΠ
1913 Proc. Royal Soc. 1912–13 B. 86 350 A Paul micro-ammeter.
1930 Ecology 11 61 The radiometer..consists of a constantan-silver thermopile, a portable microammeter, and a small resistance box.
1987 Jrnl. Econ. Hist. 47 348 In studying the emission characteristics of thoriated-tungsten filaments, he used a simple vacuum tube and a microammeter to make measurements.
microbalance n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌbaləns/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌbaln̩s/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌbæləns/
ΚΠ
1903 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 84 ii. 571 A micro-balance with torsional control is described, having a sensitiveness of 0·0380 mg. per scale division.
1944 Proc. Royal Soc. B. 132 248 The slime was..attached above to the bending beam of the microbalance.
1994 New Scientist 17 Sept. 85/1 Microbalances using glass springs take advantage of this property.
microbattery n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌbat(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌbædəri/
ΚΠ
1878 Eng. Mechanic 23 Aug. 602 A Micro-battery for the Microphone.
1906 N.E.D. at Micro- Micro-battery, very small galvanic battery.
1999 Time (Electronic ed.) 18 Jan. The CIA even has its own factory, which produces microbatteries no bigger than fingernail clippings to power the devices [sc. miniaturized monitors].
microburette n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)bjᵿˈrɛt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌbjʊˈrɛt/
ΚΠ
1923 Proc. Royal Soc. B. 95 478 To keep the blank correction small, N/ 1 (in place of N/ 10) acid or alkali was used (with a micro-burette).
1946 Nature 19 Oct. 556/2 The apparatus is completed by a microburette mounted on a movable arm.
1992 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89 3592/1 Dextran-linked fluorescent dyes were pressure injected into impaled protoplasts by using a SB2 syringe microburet system.
microcalorimeter n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kaləˈrɪmᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌkæləˈrɪmədər/
ΚΠ
1911 Jrnl. Physiol. 43 261 (heading) A new form of differential micro-calorimeter, for the estimation of heat production in physiological, bacteriological, or ferment actions.
1931 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 133 510 The heats of adsorption were measured by a microcalorimeter.
1993 Jrnl. Exper. Bot. 44 493 The heat was produced through oxidative metabolism, since replacing the air in the microcalorimeter with nitrogen blocked heat-production.
microcalorimetry n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kaləˈrɪmᵻtri/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌkæləˈrɪmətri/
ΚΠ
1924 Chem. Abstr. 18 4483 Microcalorimetry.
1956 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 42 110 One quantitative method and instrument of analysis, namely, microcalorimetry, has been substituted..for any conceivable number of chemical analytical procedures.
1997 New Scientist 8 Nov. 65 (advt.) You will characterise purified proteins and their ligands by performing assays of enzyme activity and ligand binding (especially microcalorimetry).
microcautery n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈkɔːt(ə)ri/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈkɔdəri/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈkɑdəri/
ΚΠ
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 835 The micro-cautery has been used also with fair results.
1974 Nature 4 Oct. 416/2 We destroyed bilateral regions of the brain selectively by microcautery.
1989 Nature 27 Apr. 760/2 The females in the ‘low-mating’ group were kept..with two males that had had their external genitalia ablated by microcautery.
microdensitometer n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dɛnsᵻˈtɒmᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌdɛnsəˈtɑmədər/
ΚΠ
1935 Discovery Nov. 324 Micro-densitometer for analysing sound track.
1966 Aviation Week & Space Technol. 5 Dec. 99/3 The CRT system will be used..as a flying spot scanner and will scan through a precision optical chain providing a high-resolution microdensitometer.
1992 S. S. Hall Mapping Next Millennium (1993) Introd. 7 Experts..scanned the Mona Lisa's sublime and mysterious face with a microdensitometer, measuring and mapping the topography of pigments.
microdensitometry n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dɛnsᵻˈtɒmᵻtri/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌdɛnsəˈtɑmətri/
ΚΠ
1957 A. Engström in V. E. Cosslett et al. X-Ray Microsc. & Microradiogr. 32 Microdensitometry of the fine-grained photographic emulsion presents the same type of problems as does direct microspectrography of biological material.
1993 Jrnl. Anat. 183 97 Integrating microdensitometry was used to study changes in the intracellular activity of 4 enzymes during macrophage development.
microdetermination n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dᵻˌtəːmᵻˈneɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊdəˌtərməˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1925 Analyst 50 302 (heading) Micro-determination of methoxyl.
1947 N. D. Cheronis & J. B. Entrikin Semimicro Qualitative Org. Anal. ii. 72 The Alber specific-gravity pipettes that are commercially available may be used for the microdetermination of densities.
1992 Philos. & Phenomenol. Res. 52 14 These ideas make up our ‘metaphysics’ of microdetermination for properties of minerals and other substances.
microdissection n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dᵻˈsɛkʃn/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dʌɪˈsɛkʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊdəˈsɛkʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌdaɪˈsɛkʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1914 Science 30 Oct. 646/1 The microdissection technique used is the same as that employed by Kite.
1993 Brit. Jrnl. Surg. 80 7/2 This may still occur in up to 30–40 per cent of cases following meticulous microdissection of the superior mediastinum and both sides of the neck.
microelectrophoresis n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻˌlɛktrə(ʊ)fəˈriːsɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊəˌlɛktrəfəˈrisᵻs/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊiˌlɛktrəfəˈrisᵻs/
ΚΠ
1930 Science 17 Oct. 398/1 A practical method of determing the fall in potential in a micro-electrophoresis cell is described.
1956 Proc. Royal Soc. B. 145 375 The technique of micro~electrophoresis has already been used extensively to study bacterial surfaces.
1994 Jrnl. Cell Biol. 127 1789/1 Microelectrophoresis of the histones from manually isolated unfixed centromeres revealed the presence of H1 and core histones.
microestimation n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊɛstᵻˈmeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌɛstəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1922 Analyst 47 80 (heading) Micro-estimation of nitrogen and its biological applications.
1972 Analyt. Chem. 44 1879 (heading) Simultaneous microestimation of choline and acetylcholine by gas chromatography.
1993 Econ. Rev. (Karachi) Jan. 28/2 Evolution of novel methods of seed micro-surgery without loss of viability, and of micro-estimation of active principle in a micro-slice of the seed.
microfluorimetry n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)flᵿˈrɪmᵻtri/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)flʊəˈrɪmᵻtri/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)flɔːˈrɪmᵻtri/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌflʊˈrɪmətri/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌflɔˈrɪmətri/
ΚΠ
1956 Science 6 Apr. 601 (advt.) Micro-fluorimetry with liquid volumes as low as 1 ml.
2000 New Scientist 13 May 84/1 (advt.) The work will involve the use of microfluorimetry and voltage clamp techniques in isolated myocytes.
microfluorometry n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)flᵿˈrɒmᵻtri/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)flʊəˈrɒmᵻtri/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)flɔːˈrɒmᵻtri/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌflʊˈrɑmətri/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌflɔˈrɑmətri/
ΚΠ
1959 Jrnl. Biol. Chem. 234 (title) 3044 Localization and kinetics of reduced pyridine nucleotide in living cells by microfluorometry.
1990 EMBO Jrnl. 9 2622/2 Microfluorometry was used to quantitate the amount of p53 in the nucleus both in cells containing cytoplasmic bodies and in cells lacking such bodies.
microgas analysis n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡas əˈnalᵻsɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌɡæs əˈnæləsəs/
ΚΠ
1926 R. W. Lawson tr. G. von Hevesy & F. A. Paneth Man. Radioactivity i. 2 Very small quantities of two different gases..gradually accumulate within the tube, and can be detected by the methods of micro-gas analysis.
1947 Science 21 Nov. 498/2 Small samples..were analyzed with a Blacet-Leighton microgas analysis apparatus.
microgasometer n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡaˈsɒmᵻtə/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡəˈsɒmᵻtə/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡəˈzɒmᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊɡæˈsɑmədər/
ΚΠ
1951 Amer. Jrnl. Clin. Pathol. 21 1153 (heading) A practical microgasometer for estimation of carbon dioxide.
1956 Science 22 June 1140/1 Microgasometer adapts Van Slyke method to microanalyses.
1972 Analyt. Biochem. 45 112 The magnetic diver microgasometer is operated at a constant pressure so that the enclosed gas bubble can contract or expand freely.
1988 Clin. Pediatrics 27 240 The pH and pCO2 were measured on a blood gas analyzer and the total CO2 was determined on the same blood sample using a microgasometer.
microgasometry n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡaˈsɒmᵻtri/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡəˈsɒmᵻtri/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊɡæˈsɑmətri/
ΚΠ
1957 G. E. Hutchinson Treat. Limnol. I. xvii. 879 A technique involving characteristically ingenious microgasometry..has been used by Krogh and Lange.
1981 Canad. Jrnl. Physiol. & Pharmacol. 59 800 A significantly lower value for urine total carbon dioxide content measured by microgasometry..than with the titration technique.
micro-investigation n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊɪnˌvɛstᵻˈɡeɪʃn/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrəʊɪnˌvɛstᵻˌɡeɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊᵻnˌvɛstəˈɡeɪʃ(ə)n/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊᵻnˌvɛstəˌɡeɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1922 Encycl. Brit. XXX. 34/2 Micro-investigation of glued joints proved the value of carefully preparing the timber and glue.
1962 Science 1004 (advt.) And now you can equip your DynaZoom Microscope for the widest range of micro-investigation.
microiontophoresis n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊʌɪˌɒntə(ʊ)fəˈriːsɪs/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊaɪˌɑn(t)əfəˈrisᵻs/
ΚΠ
1964 Internat. Rev. Neurobiol. 7 77 The direct demonstration by micro-iontophoresis that ACh [= acetylcholine] can excite some cortical cells with rather clear muscarinic-type receptors is..in broad agreement with..previous evidence.
1975 Nature 15 May 234/1 For microiontophoresis, five or seven-barrelled micropipettes were fixed rigidly to the side of the recording micropipette, and the tips were separated by 10–15 μm.
1987 M. J. Neal Med. Pharmacol. at Glance xx. 47/1 Micro-iontophoresis is a method of applying drugs locally to neurones by the passage of electrical current.
1992 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89 5109 We recorded sound-evoked responses and applied glycine or its antagonist by using microiontophoresis.
microlithography n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)lᵻˈθɒɡrəfi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊləˈθɑɡrəfi/
ΚΠ
1974 G. Pircher in Le Vide 29 385 The main properties of a microlithography process are the quality of drawing and the time required for mask-making.
1997 Electronics Times 30 June 157/1 (advt.) Cymer..started building the first safe, reliable excimer laser for microlithography over ten years ago.
micromanometer n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)məˈnɒmᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊməˈnɑmədər/
ΚΠ
1897 Jrnl. Physical Chem. 1 596 The author's micromanometer (l.c., 1895), giving measurements accurate to 0·0033 mm water or 0·00024 mm mercury was used.
1972 Physics Bull. Aug. 491/2 The new vacuum micromanometer has been designed for applications requiring sensitive differential pressure measurements at high vacuum levels.
1994 Magnetic Resonance Imaging 12 531 Pressure readings and MR images remained undistorted using a conventional ferromagnetic micromanometer-tip catheter.
micromethod n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌmɛθəd/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌmɛθəd/
ΚΠ
1920 Jrnl. Soc. Chem. Industry 15 Mar. 206 a/1 A micro-method in which 1–2 c.c of urine and 1·5–3 c.c. of alkali need only be used.
1974 Nature 3 May 37/2 Studies of lymphocyte transformation in vitro were carried out by our micromethod.
1992 S. Rose Making of Memory 51 Swedish labs had a tradition of developing micromethods for analysing tiny quantities of material.
micro-sensor n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌsɛnsə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌsɛnsər/
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > instrument for detection > [noun] > sensor
sensor1947
micro-sensor1962
photosensor1962
chemosensor1969
1962 F. I. Ordway et al. Basic Astronautics xii. 486 Basically each microsensor is a small transmitter.
1993 Independent on Sunday 15 Aug. (Business section) 26/4 In the future MEMMS are expected to be used, for example, as toxic gas sensors that fit on to workers' belts, and medical micro-sensors and micro-tools.
microspectrograph n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈspɛktrə(ʊ)ɡrɑːf/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈspɛktrə(ʊ)ɡraf/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈspɛktrəˌɡræf/
ΚΠ
1934 Photogr. Jrnl. 74 518/2 The application of the microspectrograph to the identification of organic compounds.
1971 Rev. Sci. Instruments 42 154/1 A simple inexpensive microspectrograph which has been in use in our laboratory for more than a year, recording the absorption spectra of thin-cleaved layered crystals.
1980 R. S. Adrain et al. in Electro-optics/Laser Internat.: Conf. Proc. 375 (title) Robust portable computerised laser micro-spectrograph.
microspectrography n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)spɛkˈtrɒɡrəfi/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌspɛkˈtrɑɡrəfi/
ΚΠ
1947 Acta Pathol. & Microbiol. Scand. 24 417 (heading) Ultraviolet microspectrography as an aid in the study of the nucleotide content of bacteria.
1957 A. Engström in V. E. Cosslett et al. X-Ray Microsc. & Microradiogr. 32 Microdensitometry of the fine-grained photographic emulsion presents the same type of problems as does direct microspectrography of biological material.
microspectrophotometer n.
Brit. /mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌspɛktrə(ʊ)fəˈtɒmᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌspɛktroʊfəˈtɑmədər/
ΚΠ
1951 Rev. Sci. Instruments 22 866/2 The electronic part of the microspectrophotometer consists of the two photocells, one above the other.
1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. (rev. ed.) II. 595/1 Such microspectrophotometers, capable of carrying out spectral analyses within the dimensions of a single cell, will play an increasingly powerful role in furthering our knowledge of cell biology.
1990 Times 25 Oct. 21/5 A microspectrophotometer is an extraordinarily sensitive device that can make an accurate cross-check of the precise colour characteristics given to a synthetic fibre from the dyes with which it was processed.
1993 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90 6009 The spectral characteristics of the cone visual pigments were determined with a dichroic microspectrophotometer.
microspectrophotometry n.
Brit. /mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌspɛktrə(ʊ)fəˈtɒmᵻtri/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌspɛktroʊfəˈtɑmətri/
ΚΠ
1935 Chem. Abstr. 29 1117 (heading) Ultraviolet absorption spectrum of sea-urchin eggs. Technic of microspectrophotometry.
1972 Amer. Jrnl. Bot. 59 829/1 The two-wavelength method of microspectrophotometry..was employed in the Feulgen-DNA studies.
1988 Nature 9 June 500/3 Microspectrophotometry of the visual pigments and behavioural analysis are now required.
1995 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92 10825 On the basis of microspectrophotometry and comparisons with chromosomal walks, an average band contains 25 kb of genomic DNA.
microsyringe n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)sᵻˈrɪn(d)ʒ/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈsɪrᵻn(d)ʒ/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)sᵻˌrɪn(d)ʒ/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌsɪrᵻn(d)ʒ/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊsəˈrɪndʒ/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈsɪrᵻndʒ/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊsəˌrɪndʒ/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌsɪrᵻndʒ/
ΚΠ
1949 Science 5 Aug. 142/2 An accurate microsyringe is useful for dispensing minute quantities of fluids in laboratory experiments.
1973 Internat. Jrnl. Peptide & Protein Res. 5 208/1 All dilutions and sampling by volume were performed with a microsyringe..that delivered volumes accurate to 10−3 ± 5 × 10−4 ml.
1995 School Sci. Rev. June 42/1 Micropipetting system: the NCBE kit includes specially designed microsyringes with a very fine metal plunger.
microtechnique n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)tɛkˈniːk/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)tɛkˌniːk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌtɛkˈnik/
ΚΠ
1892 Jrnl. Royal Microsc. Soc. 555 (heading) Zimmermann's Botanical Microtechnique.
1956 Nature 28 Jan. 153/1 In 1949 the applications of micro-techniques [in micro-chemistry] were few and not very widely used, but at the present day they are ubiquitous.
1985 Theoret. & Appl. Genetics 70 227 Because electrical fusion is a microtechnique, procedures were developed for culturing the heterokaryons in small numbers and at low density.
microtool n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)tuːl/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌtul/
,
/ˈmaɪkrəˌtul/
ΚΠ
1955 Science 17 June 855/2 Up to four different microtools can be placed in the microscopic field at one time.
1993 Sci. News 25 Sept. 197/2 We want to build a set of microtools, which means coupling this steam engine to small tweezers, scalpels, probes, or sensors.
(b)
microcalorimetric adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kal(ə)rᵻˈmɛtrɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌkælərəˈmɛtrɪk/
ΚΠ
1924 Chem. Abstr. 18 2723 (heading) Utilization in biology of the micro~calorimetric method.
1936 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 156 590 The usual difficulties associated with microcalorimetric measurements.
1995 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92 7509 There are similar reductions in metabolic rate and microcalorimetric heat flux.
microdensitometric adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dɛnsᵻtəˈmɛtrɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌdɛnsədəˈmɛtrɪk/
ΚΠ
1959 Listener 12 Mar. 451/2 Micro-densitometric tracing of the profile of the crater.
1973 H. L. Snyder in L. M. Bibermann Perception of Displayed Information iii. 89 The X-Y luminance patterns of any given object or area of a scene can then be determined by scanning microdensitometric measurements for a film transparency input to the television system.
1994 Jrnl. Nuclear Materials 211 156 Quantitative values of the local tritium concentration were obtained from the microdensitometric analysis of the autoradiographs.
microdissected adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dᵻˈsɛktᵻd/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dʌɪˈsɛktᵻd/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊdəˈsɛktəd/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌdaɪˈsɛktəd/
ΚΠ
1934 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) B. 223 154 Observations on the nature of the growth from micro-dissected fragments of single hyphae.
1992 S. Rose Making of Memory 216 The culminating step in this reduction is the interaction of two specific microdissected neurons.
microelectrophoretic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻˌlɛktrə(ʊ)fəˈrɛtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊəˌlɛktrəfəˈrɛdɪk/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊiˌlɛktrəfəˈrɛdɪk/
ΚΠ
1950 Science 5 May 487/1 It should be noted that the isoelectric point could be deterermined by the microelectrophoretic method.
1973 Neuropharmacology 12 77 A technique has been described for stereotaxically performing microelectrophoretic studies on single brain cells in awake, non-paralyzed cats.
1995 Brain Res. Bull. 36 241/1 Single neuron activity was recorded..in the candate nucleus, globus pallidus, and amygdala of both anesthetized rats and anesthetized or alert monkeys during microelectrophoretic application of the MAO-B blocker L-deprenyl (DEPR).
microgasometric adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡasəˈmɛtrɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌɡæsəˈmɛtrɪk/
ΚΠ
1955 Biol. Bull. 109 328 (title) Micro gasometric determination of dissolved oxygen and nitrogen.
1956 Nature 28 Jan. 185/2 In 1937, Linderstrøm-Lang introduced a microgasometric method based on the principle of the Cartesian diver.
1991 Jrnl. Oral Pathol. & Med. 20 200/2 The microgasometric technique..offers the possibility to determine the presence of monoamine oxidase..in single isolated odontoblasts.
microgravimetric adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡravᵻˈmɛtrɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌɡrævəˈmɛtrɪk/
ΚΠ
1929 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 125 370 Kohlschütter and Krähenbühl..used microgravimetric methods to determine the amount of iodine taken up.
1993 Physics of Solid Earth 29 71/1 A comparison of the results of measurements made with absolute or relative gravimeters at different working heights.
microiontophoretic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊʌɪˌɒntə(ʊ)fəˈrɛtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊaɪˌɑn(t)əfəˈrɛdɪk/
ΚΠ
1964 Internat. Rev. Neurobiol. 7 41 (heading) Micro-iontophoretic studies on cortical neurons.
1985 J. P. Kelly in B. Sterling Mirrorshades (1986) 81 Cage was able to convince Belotti to authorize microiontophoretic tests on rats.
1989 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86 9019 This effect can be produced by local microiontophoretic application of DA.
microKjeldahl adj. and n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈkɛldɑːl/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈkɛlˌdɑl/
ΚΠ
1915 Science 9 July 69/2 The solution was found to give satisfactory results..in normal and micro Kjeldahl determinations.
1923 Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. 45 2069 A new micro-Kjeldahl method..has been devised.
1946 Nature 30 Nov. 791/1 The extract was then filtered and its nitrogen content determined by micro-Kjeldahl.
1973 Analyt. Biochem. 53 36 We have developed two simple modifications which minimize, if not eliminate, the excessive foaming encountered during micro Kjeldahl digestion of biological materials.
1991 Jrnl. Agric. & Food Chem. 39 2128/2 The nitrogen content of the proteins was determined according to the Kjeldahl method..using an automated micro-Kjeldahl apparatus.
micromanometric adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)manə(ʊ)ˈɡrafɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌmænəˈmɛtrɪk/
ΚΠ
1935 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 151 296 The gas content is then so minute that no micromanometric or thermal observation can keep pace with the reaction.
1956 Jrnl. Lab. & Clin. Med. 47 642 The development of the micromanometric methods described herein was undertaken because of the need for a precise but rapid method for detecting sudden alterations in acid-base balance.
1994 Ann. Biomed. Engin. 22 66/1 A new independent linear least-squares analysis, using ascending aortic micromanometric and volumetric flow measurements from eight dogs.
microspectrographic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)spɛktrəˈɡrafɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌspɛktrəˈɡræfɪk/
ΚΠ
1950 T. Caspersson Cell Growth & Cell Function iii. 61 There are two groups of cell substances that are more easily studied by microspectrographic procedures than any others. These are the proteins..and the polynucleotides.
micro-spectrophotometric adj.
Brit. /mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌspɛktrə(ʊ)fəʊtəˈmɛtrɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌspɛktroʊˌfoʊdəˈmɛtrɪk/
ΚΠ
1950 T. Caspersson Cell Growth & Cell Function ii. 45 This is a further reason for the use of high-aperture lenses in microspectrophotometric work.
1970 Nature 17 Oct. 255/2 Microspectrophotometric analyses of the salic particles in the visible and near ultraviolet show a continuous absorption spectrum increasing towards the ultraviolet.
1989 Jrnl. Heredity 80 74/2 Microspectrophotometric measurements of DNA levels in both species have demonstrated that the double haploids have greater amounts of DNA.
1994 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91 7970 An aliquot of 110 μl of autoprocessing reaction mixture was placed in a microspectrophotometric cell.
(c)
microelectrophoretically adv.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻˌlɛktrə(ʊ)fəˈrɛtᵻkli/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊəˌlɛktrəfəˈrɛdək(ə)li/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊiˌlɛktrəfəˈrɛdək(ə)li/
ΚΠ
1963 Federation Proc. (Federation Amer. Soc. Exper. Biol.) 22 625/2 Responses of neurones to microelectrophoretically applied Acetylcholine (ACh)..have been obtained.
1995 Brain Res. Bull. 36 241/1 In some cases, amphetamine (AMPH) and clorgyline (CLOR) were also applied microelectrophoretically.
microgasometrically adv.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ɡasəˈmɛtrᵻkli/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌɡæsəˈmɛtrək(ə)li/
ΚΠ
1968 Progress Brain Res. 29 41 Ultracytochemistry was then applied to individual neurons, which had been analyzed microgasometrically.
microiontophoretically adv.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊʌɪˌɒntə(ʊ)fəˈrɛtᵻkli/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊaɪˌɑn(t)əfəˈrɛdək(ə)li/
ΚΠ
1971 Nature 19 Nov. 146/1 Some excitatory effects of microiontophoretically applied noradrenaline in the central nervous system.
1975 Nature 15 May 233/2 Applying TRH, LH-RH and somatostatin directly to central neurones microiontophoretically, we have found that these peptides have a potent depressant action on the activity of neurones at several levels..of the neural axis.
1992 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89 1569 However, 17β-estradiol, negative in our study, had an excitatory effect on pyramidal neurons of rat hippocampus and augmented cerebellar Purkinje cell responsivity to microiontophoretically applied glutamate.
micromanometrically adv.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)manə(ʊ)ˈmɛtrᵻkli/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌmænəˈmɛtrək(ə)li/
ΚΠ
1973 Jrnl. Neurochem. 20 1029 The rate of oxygen consumption has been measured micromanometrically in fresh mouse neuroblastoma cells.
microspectrophotometrically adv.
Brit. /mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌspɛktrə(ʊ)fəʊtəˈmɛtrᵻkli/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌspɛktroʊˌfoʊdəˈmɛtrək(ə)li/
ΚΠ
1951 Exper. Cell Res. 2 301 In order to obtain significant data on the content of a certain absorbing substance of a whole cell the only as yet available way is to work microspectrophotometrically with photographic procedures.
1971 J. M. Paulus Platelet Kinetics 330 Ploidy measurements of megakaryocytes have usually been obtained by determining microspectrophotometrically the total relative extinction of megakaryocyte nuclei.
1989 Nature 11 May 99/3 Cronin and Marshall have investigated microspectrophotometrically the visual pigments contained in the rhabdomeres of the different tiers.
(d)
microdissect v.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dᵻˈsɛkt/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dʌɪˈsɛkt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊdəˈsɛk(t)/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌdaɪˈsɛk(t)/
transitive.
ΚΠ
1952 Science 11 Jan. 47/2 It was possible to microdissect this coating.
1969 Science 4 July 28/3 More definitive answers may have to await a hypothetical, technologically more advanced age when mitochondria may be microdissected at magnifications of the electron microscope.
1988 Clinics in Plastic Surg. 15 281/1 These approaches..have allowed us to more comfortably microdissect and remove orbital tumours.
(e)
† microaudiophone n. Obsolete rare an instrument for amplifying very weak sounds.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Micro-audiophone.
microbarograph n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈbarəɡrɑːf/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈbarəɡraf/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈbɛrəˌɡræf/
an instrument for measuring very small changes in atmospheric pressure.
ΚΠ
1904 Athenæum 31 Dec. 911/3 The authors described an apparatus called the ‘micro-barograph’.
1905 W. N. Shaw & W. H. Dines in Q. Jrnl. Royal Meteorol. Soc. 31 40 It is proposed to call the apparatus the ‘Micro-Barograph’.
1933 Geogr. Jrnl. 81 245 A new instrument, the microbarograph,..for recording variations of atmospheric pressure.
1961 Daily Tel. 24 Oct. 1/1 The seismographs and micro-barographs which recorded the tremors through the Earth, and the miniature blast or sound waves through the air.
1994 Nature 6 Jan. 34/2 The yield of the Tunguska blast has been estimated at 10–20 MT from microbarograph measurements in Europe and other methods.
microbeam n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)biːm/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌbim/
,
/ˈmaɪkrəˌbim/
a very narrowly collimated beam of radiation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > X-rays > [noun] > narrow beam of
microbeam1950
1950 Engineering 5 May 498/3 The Cambridge work on micro~beams was most promising. It was nearing the stage when an investigator could look down a microscope, see a particle which he had etched, and direct X-rays on to that one particle.
1953 Science 8 May 493/1 A widely applicable method has been developed for high-energy irradiation of cell parts by use of proton microbeams with diameters as small as 2.5 μ.
1989 B. Alberts et al. Molecular Biol. Cell (ed. 2) xx. 1171 If a localized microbeam is used to illuminate only a small part of the cell, only the illuminated part of the chloroplast bends.
1997 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94 11578/1 Erythrocytes were destroyed by a ruby laser microbeam.
microbioscope n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈbʌɪəskəʊp/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈbaɪəˌskoʊp/
now rare an apparatus for taking moving pictures of microscopic subjects.
ΚΠ
1903 Nature 5 Nov. 18/1 Mr. Martin Duncan proved the great possibilities of the Urban Duncan microbioscope for recording natural history observations in the ordinary way and under the microscope.
microburner n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌbəːnə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌbərnər/
a small gas burner.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > equipment or apparatus > [noun] > miscellaneous apparatus
bain1477
speculum1650
filtering paper1651
wheel-fire1662
filter paper1670
sun furnace1763
respirator1789
candle-ball1794
rectifier1822
candle-bomb1823
filter1823
oxyhydrogen blowpipe1823
shade1837
graduator1839
pipette1839
thistle funnel1849
pressure tube1852
ozonizer1858
dialyser1861
Liebig condenser1861
Sprengel pump1866
Sprengel tube1866
water softener1867
mercury pump1869
Bunsen burner1870
dialysator1877
test-mixer1877
tube-condenser1877
Kipp1879
reflux condenser1880
policeman1888
converter1889
pressure boiler1891
spot plate1896
hydrogen electrode1898
sampler1902
reactor1903
fume-chamber1905
Permutit1910
microburner1911
salt bridge1915
precipitator1919
Raschig ring1920
microneedle1921
titrator1928
laboratory coatc1936
spray tower1937
precipitron1938
ion exchanger1941
potentiostat1942
chemostat1950
Knudsen pipette1951
pH-stat1956
cryopump1958
1911 Jrnl. Infectious Dis. 8 351 Natural gas for the microburner may be improved by causing it to pass through alcohol or benzine.
1980 Communications Internat. 7 vii. 16/1 The same heating conditions may be obtained by means of a propane-oxygen gas micro-burner.
microcamera n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkam(ə)rə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkæm(ə)rə/
a camera used in photomicrography or X-ray diffraction studies.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > camera > [noun] > scientific and technical
heliograph1848
revolver1876
spectrograph1884
photochronograph1891
photogrammeter1891
process camera1895
gun-camera1921
microcamera1928
phototimer1942
ballistic camera1945
monorail camera1958
1928 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 118 499 For photographic purposes the same apparatus is used merely replacing the eye piece of the microscope with a Leitz micro-camera attachment.
1928 Daily Express 21 June 12 Modern science has at its disposal, ‘doctors, chemists, biologists, ultra-violet lamps, micro-cameras, and spectroscopes’.
1977 Jrnl. Polymer Sci. (Polymer Physics ed.) 15 2151 Microcamera x-ray patterns show a similarity of microstructure generation in spinning and drawing.
microcentrifuge n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈsɛntrᵻfjuː(d)ʒ/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈsɛntrəˌfju(d)ʒ/
a centrifuge designed for use with very small samples.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > equipment for altering consistency > [noun] > separating apparatus
separatory1706
centrifugal1813
centrifuge1866
separator1881
cyclone1898
elutriator1904
microcentrifuge1937
hydro-cyclone1952
sedimenter1962
hydroclone1965
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical assay or analytical chemistry > [noun] > acetimetry > centrifugation > apparatus
gasometer1790
centrifuge1866
azotometer1876
bottle shaker1891
gas centrifuge1919
microcentrifuge1937
1937 Science 24 Dec. 18/1 Also on exhibition will be a micro-centrifuge developed primarily for Phipps and Bird for semi-micro qualitative analysis in chemistry.
1958 Science 26 Dec. 1626/1 The tubes were then centrifuged at 2°C for 1 hour at 3800g in a microcentrifuge.
1995 School Sci. Rev. June 41/2 SAPS supply calf thymus and lambda DNA in microcentrifuge tubes containing a premeasured aliquot of DNA, enough for 4 lanes to be run.
microdetector n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dᵻˌtɛktə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊdəˌtɛktər/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊdiˌtɛktər/
rare a sensitive measuring device.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Micro-detector, a sensitive galvanoscope.
1975 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 342 261 Carle microdetector fitted with matched thermistor beads.
microdiffraction n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dᵻˈfrakʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊdəˈfrækʃ(ə)n/
electron or X-ray diffraction used in the study of crystals, molecules, tissues, etc.
ΚΠ
1956 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 236 123 A search of the grid was made..using the selected area microdiffraction method.
1963 Science 1 Feb. 430 (advt.) Electron and X-ray microdiffraction (transmission, reflection, gas).
1997 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94 9093 The directionality of the chains in a given microfibril can be identified by electron microdiffraction with tilting experiments.
microdiffusion n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dᵻˈfjuːʒn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊdəˈfjuʒ(ə)n/
Chemistry and Biology any of several microanalytic techniques involving diffusion; spec. a method used to quantify a gas liberated by a specific reaction, by allowing it to diffuse into a reagent that absorbs it; usually attributive.
ΚΠ
1935 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 148 683 The apparatus used for the experiments..was a modification of the micro-diffusion apparatus developed by Fürth, Ullman and Nistler.
1956 Nature 31 Mar. 623/2 The asparaginase activity of the extract was estimated from the ammonia formed (by the Conway microdiffusion method).
1999 Jrnl. Toxicol. & Clin. Toxicol. 37 337 The strong acid used in the cyanide microdiffusion assay will liberate cyanide that is chelated to iron to yield false positive results.
microelectrode n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊᵻˈlɛktrəʊd/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊəˈlɛktroʊd/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊiˈlɛktroʊd/
a very fine electrode, esp. one suitable for investigating the electrical activity of individual cells.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > transmission of electricity, conduction > connection, contact > [noun] > electrode
electrode1833
rheophore1863
control electrode1913
microelectrode1917
paddle1957
1917 Amer. Jrnl. Physiol. 44 521 The electrodes were of copper or platinum, the muscle resting on an indifferent plate and subject above to the light contact of an active needle, microscopically sharpened—the micro-electrode.
1955 C. R. N. Strouts et al. Analyt. Chem. II. xviii. 576 A microelectrode usually consists of a platinum wire about 0·5 mm. in diameter, sealed into the side of a glass tube.
1966 T. Pynchon Crying of Lot 49 iii. 55 Something tidal began to reach feelers in past eyes and eardrums, perhaps to arouse fractions of brain current your most gossamer microelectrode is yet too gross for finding.
1989 Brain 113 914 Neural recordings were made using sterile insulated tungsten microelectrodes inserted manually into individual cutaneous fascicles of the median nerve at the wrist.
microfilter n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌfɪltə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌfɪltər/
a filter for separating out small quantities of material or very fine particles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > filtering or percolating > [noun] > filter or percolator > for fine particles
microfilter1911
membrane filter1922
1911 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 100 ii. 225 (heading) A micro-filter for the treatment of small quantities of precipitate.
1923 Proc. Royal Soc. 1922–3 A. 102 623 Molecules so far below their condensing temperature..would in all probability condense in passing through the micro-filter.
1958 Ann. Rep. Chief Inspector of Factories on Industr. Health 1957 23 in Parl. Papers 1958–9 (Cmnd. 558) XIII. 183 He wore a micro~filter respirator.
1990 Vogue Sept. 200/3 (advt.) Our machines are fitted with a unique microfilter, an extra large, highly efficient dustbag, and a permanent filter.
microfiltration n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)fɪlˈtreɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌfɪlˈtreɪʃ(ə)n/
filtration of very fine particles.
ΚΠ
1929 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 124 506 This might have been accomplished by using the microfiltration method employed in earlier investigations.
1959 Science 20 Feb. 517 (advt.) The Millipore Filter has revolutionized many analytical techniques and made possible large scale micro-filtration.
1991 Time 15 July 3 (advt.) It has..a microfiltration system that removes dust, pollen and most odors from the interior air.
1996 Chem. in Brit. Mar. 81/1 (caption) The new SEPA CF membrane filtration unit which uses reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration for a wide range of separation applications.
microforge n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)fɔːdʒ/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌfɔrdʒ/
[after French microforge (P. de Fonbrune 1938, in Recherches et Inventions 18 33)] any of various devices, typically including a microscope, micromanipulator, and electrical heating element with a wire filament, used to make glass micropipettes and other microtools.
ΚΠ
1950 R. M. Jones McClung's Handbk. Microsc. Technique (ed. 3) viii. 520 This microcautery technique has been developed..by P. de Fonbrune who built an instrument called a microforge.
1960 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 46 152 De Fonbrune in France..also perfected a useful accessory machine—a microforge for controlling precisely the construction of very small needles and pipettes to use in the surgical operations.
1994 Science 11 Mar. 1600/2 To obtain microcapillaries, we pulled glass tubes manually over a Bunsen burner and cut them with a microforge.
microfuge n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)fjuː(d)ʒ/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌfju(d)ʒ/
(a proprietary name for) a microcentrifuge.
ΚΠ
1961 Science 23 June 1972/1 (advt.) Model 152 Microfuge..Miniature table-top centrifuge sediments blood cells in less than 60 seconds.
1993 Cell 73 391/1 After DNA was sheared by repeated passage through a Gilson yellow tip, the lysate was clarified by centrifugation in a microfuge and diluted 2-fold.
microhematocrit n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈhiːmətəkrɪt/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈhɛmətəkrɪt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊhᵻˈmædəkrət/
Medicine a hematocrit value obtained from a very small blood sample, typically by centrifugation of blood in a capillary tube; frequently attributive.
ΚΠ
1956 Science 1 June 987/2 A Van Allen microhematocrit tube of known total volume and with a calibrated stem was filled to the new calibration mark.
1968 Jrnl. Pediatrics 73 132/2 Routine hematologic examinations were carried out according to standard methods. These included hemoglobin, microhematocrit, peripheral blood examination, and alkaline-resistant hemoglobin determination.
1990 Jrnl. Developmental Physiol. 14 90/1 After 5 min.., 0.1 ml blood was taken from the tip of the tail into microhematocrit tubes to obtain 50 μl plasma for determination of the dye concentration.
microincineration n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊɪnˌsɪnəˈreɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊᵻnˌsɪnəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/
a process by which tissue sections are heated to a high temperature to destroy organic matter and facilitate analysis in situ of the remaining inorganic constituents.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > processes > [noun] > others
inoculation1802
plethysmography1890
auxanography1905
subpassage1907
ultrafiltration1908
enucleation1909
turbidimetry1920
microinjection1921
post-treatment1923
microincineration1924
plasmal reaction1925
bursectomy1928
priming1943
superinfection1947
bioengineering1950
superfusion1953
hybridization1961
sham operation1963
transfection1964
transdetermination1965
perifusion1969
zeugmatography1973
1924 Analyst 49 52 (heading) Micro-incineration applicable to histochemical investigation.
1938 E. C. Miller Plant Physiol. (ed. 2) i. 24 Uber and Goodspeed reported on preliminary methods for microincineration studies to determine the localization of the inorganic substances in the cell wall.
1988 Scanning Microscopy 2 959/1 The application of microincineration to hair and cryosectioned freeze-dried skin specimens.
microneedle n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌniːdl/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌnid(ə)l/
,
/ˈmaɪkrəˌnid(ə)l/
a very fine needle used in micromanipulation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > equipment or apparatus > [noun] > miscellaneous apparatus
bain1477
speculum1650
filtering paper1651
wheel-fire1662
filter paper1670
sun furnace1763
respirator1789
candle-ball1794
rectifier1822
candle-bomb1823
filter1823
oxyhydrogen blowpipe1823
shade1837
graduator1839
pipette1839
thistle funnel1849
pressure tube1852
ozonizer1858
dialyser1861
Liebig condenser1861
Sprengel pump1866
Sprengel tube1866
water softener1867
mercury pump1869
Bunsen burner1870
dialysator1877
test-mixer1877
tube-condenser1877
Kipp1879
reflux condenser1880
policeman1888
converter1889
pressure boiler1891
spot plate1896
hydrogen electrode1898
sampler1902
reactor1903
fume-chamber1905
Permutit1910
microburner1911
salt bridge1915
precipitator1919
Raschig ring1920
microneedle1921
titrator1928
laboratory coatc1936
spray tower1937
precipitron1938
ion exchanger1941
potentiostat1942
chemostat1950
Knudsen pipette1951
pH-stat1956
cryopump1958
1921 Science 28 Oct. 411/2 The method of making the glass micro-needles and pipettes.
1940 C. S. Sherrington Man on his Nature iv. 116 The protein coat of the fertilized egg-cell..can be cut by the ‘microneedle’ without loss of its rigidity.
1990 Sci. News 15 Dec. 376/3 Janine Lippi..used a microneedle to suction off about six sperm.
† micropantograph n. Obsolete rare an instrument for producing microscopically small writing (cf. micrograph n. 3).
ΚΠ
1875 Harper's Mag. Mar. 543/2 The writing was executed with a diamond point by an instrument of Mr. Webb's invention, and known as a micro-pantograph.
a1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. II. 1432/1 Micropantograph, an instrument invented in 1852 by Mr. Peters..for minute writing.
micropipette n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pᵻˈpɛt/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pᵻˌpɛt/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌpaɪˈpɛt/
a very fine pipette for measuring, transferring, or injecting very small quantities of liquid.
ΚΠ
1918 Biol. Bull. 34 134 The capillary attraction in the lumen of a micropipette..is quite sufficient for the purpose.
1988 L. Stryer Biochem. (ed. 3) vi. 133 A fine-tipped (0.1 μm diameter) glass micropipet containing a solution of foreign DNA is inserted into a nucleus.
1993 Cell 73 (Advt. section following p. 205) Eppendorf has developed the Micromanipulator 5171 as the device which enables precise, reli-able [sic] and rapid positioning of micropipettes..and other microtools.
micropolariscope n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pə(ʊ)ˈlarᵻskəʊp/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊpəˈlɛrəˌskoʊp/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌpoʊˈlɛrəˌskoʊp/
a polariscope used in the analysis of microscopic objects.
ΚΠ
1858 J. Hogg Microscope (ed. 3) i. iii. 157 The powers of the micro-polariscope cannot be better displayed than in the exhibition of the foregoing phenomena.
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 548 Microscope and micropolariscope, fitted with Mr. Hughes's patent 5in. triplet condensers.
1987 Jrnl. Strain Anal. Engin. Design 22 25 A micropolariscope has been developed for the automatic analysis of photoelastic data.
micropuncture n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌpʌŋ(k)tʃə/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈpʌŋ(k)tʃə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌpəŋ(k)(t)ʃər/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈpəŋ(k)(t)ʃər/
Biology puncture of a renal tubule, cell, etc., with a micropipette in order to obtain a sample of its contents; frequently attributive.
ΚΠ
1958 Science 12 Sept. 594/1 Fluid collected by micropuncture from the bend of the loop of Henle.
1961 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 47 1934 Their antiduretic effect on mammalian kidney has been attributed to increased permeability of the distal tubule to water, especially on the basis of micropuncture experiments.
1993 Brit. Jrnl. Surg. 80 114/1 Micropuncture study of acute renal failure following temporary renal ischaemia in the rat.
microrefractometer n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌriːfrakˈtɒmᵻtə/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)rᵻˌfrakˈtɒmᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊrəˌfrækˈtɑmədər/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊriˌfrækˈtɑmədər/
a refractometer designed for examining microscopic objects.
ΚΠ
1886 Athenæum 27 Mar. 427/1 Mr. Crisp exhibited..Prof. Exner's new micro-refractometer.
1975 Jrnl. Microsc. 105 237 This instrument is an accurate computerized photon-counting microspectrophotometer, microspectrofluorimeter and microrefractometer.
1987 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84 2273 The fluorescence..was measured by using the well of a microrefractometer slide..as a defined path length.
microsequence n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌsiːkwəns/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌsikwəns/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌsikwɛns/
Biochemistry an amino acid sequence derived from a very small protein or peptide sample; chiefly attributive, esp. in microsequence analysis.
ΚΠ
1974 Analyt. Biochem. 60 285 Inclusion of a synthetic ‘carrier’, succinylated poly-ornithine,..reduces protein washout and permits extended automated microsequence analysis.
2000 Jrnl. Bacteriol. 182 4512 For six of them, the corresponding N-terminal microsequence has been obtained.
microsequencing n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈsiːkwənsɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈsikwənsɪŋ/
Biochemistry the determination of an amino acid sequence of a very small sample of protein or peptide.
ΚΠ
1974 Analyt. Biochem. 60 287 (heading) Automated microsequencing.
1976 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 73 599 We have developed microsequencing techniques to analyze subnanomole quantities of cell surface proteins.
2000 European Jrnl. Biochem. 267 487 2D gel electrophoresis followed by microsequencing has been used to purify and identify a protein..from Drosophila wing imaginal discs of third instar larvae.
microstimulation n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)stɪmjᵿˈleɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌstɪmjəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
Physiology electrical stimulation applied to a very small area, esp. a single nerve or cell.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > stimulation > [noun] > types of
stimulation1733
alcoholization1836
galvanization1860
brain vibration1864
barotaxy1906
microstimulation1946
reafference1953
self-stimulation1961
1946 Nature 28 Dec. 947/1 Two point sources of light of about the same brightness were presented to an observer by means of the micro-stimulation apparatus.
1990 Brain 113 1491 Fields of projected sensation evoked by intraneural electrical microstimulation.
microtasimeter n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)təˈsɪmᵻtə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊtəˈsɪmədər/
now historical an instrument for measuring very small changes in temperature.
ΚΠ
1878 Jrnl. Franklin Inst. 106 173 Edison's Micro-tasimeter.
1879 Scribner's Monthly July 447/1 From this germ have sprung: 1. the transmitting telephone, 2. the micro-tasimeter instrument for the detection of infinitesimal quantities of heat,[etc.].
1947 Science 7 Feb. 138/2 He [sc. Edison] took with him his recently developed microtasimeter—an instrument utilizing the varying pressures produced by the expansion of a hard rubber rod on a carbon microphone.
c. Forming terms in which micro- denotes properties revealed by microscopic or other small-scale examination.
(a)
microcharacter n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈkarᵻktə/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkarᵻktə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈkɛr(ə)ktər/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌkɛr(ə)ktər/
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Microcharacter, any zoological character derived from microscopic or other minute examination.
1974 Nature 1 Feb. 321/1 A comprehensive introductory account of macrocharacters of soils as they occur naturally and of the microcharacters of the soil solid, liquid, gaseous and living phases.
1995 Internat. Jrnl. Pharmacognosy 33 47 The most valuable diagnostic characters include the distribution pattern of stomata, and microcharacters, such as the size of mamillae.
† microfoliation n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1887 T. G. Bonney in Q. Jrnl. Geol. Soc. 44 44 A microfoliation only is produced, which..appears to be parallel to the original stratification.
microtexture n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌtɛkstʃə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌtɛk(st)ʃər/
ΚΠ
1958 Jrnl. Philos. 55 29 One obliterates the microtexture by rapidly rotating the disk on a color-wheel.
1971 Good Motoring Sept. 9/2 A road surface which gives grip at low vehicle speeds must incorporate roadstone of a harsh rather than a polished micro~texture.
1994 Jrnl. Amer. Ceramic Soc. 77 2615 The crystal structure and microtexture of P-bearing Ca2SiO4 solid solutions..were studied.
(b)
† microgranulitic adj. Geology Obsolete rare designating a rock structure in which the component minerals occur as discrete grains which are visible only under a microscope.
ΚΠ
1885 A. Geikie Text-bk. Geol. (ed. 2) 109 Where the minerals are grouped in small isolated grain-like individuals,..the structure has been named by French petrographers granulitic, or where only discernible by the aid of the microscope, micro-granulitic.
microporphyritic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pɔːfᵻˈrɪtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌpɔrfəˈrɪdɪk/
Geology consisting of porphyritic rock in which the phenocrysts are of microscopic size.
ΚΠ
1878 P. H. Lawrence tr. B. von Cotta Rocks Classified (new ed.) 67 Micro-porphyritic textures or structures of rock.
1926 G. W. Tyrrell Princ. Petrol. v. 86 The terms microporphyritic and microphenocrysts may be used when the texture can only be made out with a microscope.
1982 Earth & Planetary Sci. Lett. 60 439/1 The basalts that were studied..range in texture from sparsely phyric to microporphyritic.
microspherulitic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)sfɛrjᵿˈlɪtɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌsfɪr(j)əˈlɪdɪk/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˌsfɛr(j)əˈlɪdɪk/
Geology (of a rock) characterized by the presence of microscopic spherulites.
ΚΠ
1885 A. Geikie Text-bk. Geol. (ed. 2) 111 In many cases spherulites are only recognisable with the microscope, when they each present a black cross between crossed Nicol~prisms, and thereby characteristically reveal the micro~spherulitic structure.
1895 A. Harker Petrol. xi. 138 The very minute spherulites commonly occur in large numbers, closely packed together... This is the microspherulitic structure.
1965 G. J. Williams Econ. Geol. N.Z. viii. 91 (table) Flow banded micro~spherulitic pink-grey rhyolite.
1990 Jrnl. Volcanol. & Geothermal Res. 43 57 Pantellerite lavas of the dormant caldera volcano, Mayor Island, New Zealand, have thick non-hydrated obsidian selvages at the tops and bases, and crystalline, microspherulitic interiors.
d. Denoting objects prepared for microscopic examination.
† micro material n. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1889 Hardwicke's Sci.-gossip 25 47/2 Offered in exchange for two well-mounted slides, or other unmounted micro material.
microsection n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌsɛkʃn/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌsɛkʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Microsection, a slice, as of rock, cut so thin as to be more or less transparent, and mounted on a glass in convenient form to be studied with the aid of the microscope.
1895 Proc. Royal Soc. 58 61 (caption) Micro-section from large wrought-iron forging.
1985 Ann. Surg. 201 311/1 Examination of fat for lymph nodes by inspection and palpatation and examination of one microsection from each lymph node.
microslide n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)slʌɪd/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌslaɪd/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌslaɪd/
ΚΠ
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. Microslide.
1951 Electronic Engin. 23 8/1 The combination of a television camera with a microscope makes it possible for a large group of students to watch simultaneously the events taking place on a microslide.
1997 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94 658/1 Transwell membranes were excised and mounted on a microslide.
3. Chiefly Medicine. Forming terms in which micro- denotes unusually or abnormally small size or underdevelopment of a part of the body.
microblast n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)blɑːst/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)blast/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌblæst/
[ < German Microblast (P. Ehrlich 1880, in Berliner Klin. Wochenschr. 12 July 405/1) < micro- , mikro- micro- comb. form + -blast -blast comb. form] an abnormally small erythroblast; (also) a small lymphoblast.
ΚΠ
1890 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Microblast.
1898 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. V. 528 These [corpuscles] according to their sizes have been named normoblasts, megaloblasts, and microblasts.
1996 Immunology 87 49 Secondary responder T cells have returned to the size of microblasts and ceased to replicate their DNA.
† microdactylous adj. [compare French microdactyle (1868 in Littré)] Obsolete rare having small digits.
ΚΠ
1892 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Microdactylous, having small digits.
microglossia n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈɡlɒsɪə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈɡlɔsiə/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈɡlɑsiə/
abnormally small size of the tongue.
ΚΠ
1857 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. (1860) Microglossia, a term for congenital smallness of the tongue.
1957 L. E. Travis Handbk. Speech Pathol. (1959) xxi. 643 Lingual deformities of various sorts include..microglossia (undersized tongue).
1976 European Jrnl. Pediatrics 122 1 Two infants with the Hanhart syndrome, i.e. micrognathia, microglossia, terminal deficiency of all limbs, and imperforate anus in one.
1992 Bull. Assoc. Anat. 76 68/2 Faciocardiomelic dysplasia, includes in its symptoms microglossia and glossoptosis, combined with micrognathia.
micromastia n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmastɪə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈmæstiə/
abnormally small size of one or both breasts; spec. failure of normal pubertal development of the breasts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > deformity > deformities of specific parts > [noun] > of breasts
gynaecomasty1873
polymastia1878
polymastism1886
micromazia1890
micromastia1918
1918 J. B. Deaver & J. McFarland Breast iii. 45 Conditions in which there is congenital total absence of one or both of the mammary glands, or in which one or both glands are undeveloped or rudimentary in development. To the latter condition the term ‘micromastia’ might more correctly be applied.
1953 New Statesman 5 Sept. 254/3 About 4,000,000 young American women suffer in some degree from micromastia (immature breasts).
1992 Time 17 Feb. 88/1 They [sc. small breasts] are a disease, a disfiguring illness for which the technical term is micromastia.
micromazia n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmeɪzɪə/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈmeɪziə/
rare = micromastia n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > deformity > deformities of specific parts > [noun] > of breasts
gynaecomasty1873
polymastia1878
polymastism1886
micromazia1890
micromastia1918
1890 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Micromazia.
1894 W. R. Williams Monogr. Dis. Breast iii. 33 When the defect is less complete than in the above cases, we get a very small imperfectly-developed gland, like the normal male breast, or smaller—micromazia.
1928 F. Z. Snoop From Monotremes to Madonna 22 The breast may be absent, amazia; or very small, micromazia.
microsplenic adj.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈspliːnɪk/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈsplɛnɪk/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈsplinɪk/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈsplɛnɪk/
rare characterized by an abnormally small spleen; (of a disease) not accompanied by enlargement of the spleen.
ΚΠ
1905 H. D. Rolleston Dis. Liver 318 Gilbert..speaks of this as the microsplenic or asplenomegalic form of biliary cirrhosis.
4.
a. Prefixed to the name of a unit of measurement to denote a factor of one-millionth (10−6); symbol μ.
microamp n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrəʊamp/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌæmp/
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electric current > [noun] > unit of measurement
ampere1881
amp1882
milliampere1885
kilampere1892
mA1896
kVA1905
kilovolt-ampere1909
microamp1923
milliamp1923
abampere1930
1923 Proc. Royal Soc. B. 95 224 A current of a few microamps. was then sent through the system.
1956 Jrnl. Ecol. 44 408 We can calculate..the standard deviation and hence the fiducial value of a single observation as 1.5 microamps.
1960 Pract. Wireless 36 p. ii/1 (advt.) Complete with 15 valves, 500 microamp check and tuning meter, circuit and instruction book.
1991 G. H. Tomlinson Electr. Networks & Filters 213 The requirement for input bias current, which is in the range of picoamps to microamps,..imposes a restriction on the choice of RC impedances for the forward and feedback paths.
micro-ampere n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrəʊˈampɛː/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrəʊˌampɛː/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈæmˌpɪ(ə)r/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈæmˌpɛ(ə)r/
ΚΠ
1890 Webster's Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Microampère.
1891 E. M. Caillard Electricity iii. vi. 203 The strength of telephone currents [is measured] by micro- (millionth) ampères.
1962 Sci. Surv. 3 93 A typical performance is 100 pulses per second, with 1011 particles in each, or about 1½ micro-amperes average current.
1995 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92 8471 The amplitudes of the AcCho currents were sometimes as high as several microamperes.
microbar n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)bɑː/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌbɑr/
ΚΠ
1917 Science 360/2 Those who persist in advocating the retention of millibar are evidently not aware that V. Bjerknes expressly states that in his system the C.G.S. unit will be the microbar.
1935 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 151 108 The amplitude c2 is expressed in this paper in microbars; the microbar is one dyne per sq cm, or very nearly one-millionth of the normal atmospheric pressure.
1971 Nature 1 Jan. 15/3 The figures..indicate that a pressure wave moving at 330 m s−1 generates a displacement of the Earth's surface of 10 to 15 nanometres per microbar with periods between 20 and 100 s.
1989 Science 246 1459 The temperature of Triton's upper atmosphere is 95 ± 96 kelvins, and the surface pressure is roughly 14 microbars.
microcalorie n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkaləri/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈkaləri/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkæl(ə)ri/
ΚΠ
1906 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 77 14 This makes the radiation of the full moon..about 6·6 micro-calories per square centimetre per minute.
1989 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 328 (caption) Pattern of heat flow around the northeast Japan volcanic arcs (in milliwatts per square metre (microcalories per square centimetre per second)).
microcoulomb n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkuːlɒm/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈkuːlɒm/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkuːləʊm/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈkuːləʊm/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kuːˌlɒm/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kuːˈlɒm/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkulɑm/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈkuˌlɑm/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌkuloʊm/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈkuˌloʊm/
ΚΠ
1892 Gloss. Electr. Terms 12 in Lightning 3 Mar. Suppl. Microcoulomb.
1893 Ann. Math. 7 64 In applying the expressions written above to numerical problems, one sometimes needs to know that one microcoulomb is equivalent to 10−7 absolute electromagnetic units.
1989 Science 246 1400 In the distorted ferroelectric phase that is stable at room temperature, there is a net dipole..of a few tens of microcoulombs per square centimeter.
microcurie n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkjʊəri/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkjɔːri/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌkjʊri/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌkjʊri/
ΚΠ
1911 Sci. Amer. 29 Apr. 429 The ‘optimum’ or most favorable dose of radiation, which developed the mold in four days, was found to be ½ microcurie per cubic centimeter of air.
1985 New Scientist 27 Sept. 7/1 They are said to have originated from a spill in 1965 and to have varied in levels of radioactivity from 2 microcuries to 15 millicuries.
1995 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92 5752 Five microcuries..of..uracil was added 20 hr after infection.
microfarad n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌfarad/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌfarəd/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌfɛˌræd/
,
/ˈmaɪkrəˌfɛrəd/
ΚΠ
1871 Q. Jrnl. Sci. 1 118 A convenient condenser to use is one of three microfarads.
1925 J. M. Bryant & J. A. Correll Alternating-current Circuits ii. 51 The farad is too large a unit for most considerations, and the microfarad is more common, there being 1,000,000 microfarads in 1 farad.
1997 Electronic Engin. Times 21 July 68/3 In circuits using six parallel Sanyo MV–GX series 16–V 1,000–microfarad capacitors, the total maximum ESR is 6.5W.
microhenry n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌhɛnri/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌhɛnri/
ΚΠ
1909 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 209 83 It [sc. the inductance] amounted roughly to 0·25 microhenry.
1964 R. F. Ficchi Electr. Interference iv. 39 Experience has shown that as the L exceeds 0.025 microhenries in magnitude, the effectiveness of the bond diminishes rapidly.
1982 Giant Bk. Electronics Projects vii. 310 The L network consisted of a 365 μF ‘broadcast’ variety variable capacitor..and a 7 microhenry inductor.
microinch n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrəʊˌɪn(t)ʃ/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌɪn(t)ʃ/
ΚΠ
1941 E. V. Oberg & F. D. Jones Machinery's Handbk. (ed. 11) 1776 Assume that the quantities a, b, c, etc., equal the various profile measurements in micro-inches.
1993 New Scientist 24 Apr. 20/2 The patent claims are very broad, claiming legal monopoly on any recording head with a gap of less than about 15 microinches, or 0.4 micrometres.
micromho n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)məʊ/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌmoʊ/
ΚΠ
1913 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 89 76 Convenient numbers..are obtained if the conductivity is reckoned in reciprocals of megohms (‘micromhos’).
1940 Bell Syst. Techn. Publ. Monogr. B-1268 7 One interesting commercial tube in which one stage of secondary electron multiplication is added to an ordinary tetrode, has a transconductance of 14,000 micromhos.
1977 Ecology 58 1274/2 (caption) Electrical conductivities are in micromho/centimetre at 25°C.
microhm n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrəʊm/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪˌkroʊm/
(also microohm)
ΚΠ
1868 J. L. Clark Elem. Treat. Electr. Measurem. 43 One millionth part of an ohm = 1 microhm.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXVIII. 4/2 Convenient multiples and subdivisions of the ohm are the microhm and the megohm.
1928 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 227 80 The differences..are given in micro-ohms.
1972 IEEE Trans. Manuf. Technol. 1 ii. 2 To determine the reliability of the microhm resistance method and the reproducibility of results obtained by different companies using industrial microhm meters.
1992 Science 12 June 1528/2 We get..a residual resistivity in the neighborhood of 100 microohm–cm.
micropoise n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)pɔɪz/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌpɔɪz/
ΚΠ
1933 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 141 450 Values of viscosity are in micropoise.
1941 Ann. Reg. 1940 353 For hydrogen vapour it [sc. the viscosity] is c. 10 micropoise at 14·5° K.
1985 Aerosol Sci. & Technol. 4 269/2 The assumed mean free path of 0.0673 μm for air at sea level and 23°C with viscosity of 183.245 micropoise.
microrad n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)rad/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌræd/
ΚΠ
1961 Science 6 Oct. 983/1 Dose rates for ZR95–Nb95 fallout alone were between 0.2 and 0.4 microrad per hour.
1976 Science 8 Oct. 216/1 The Digi/Micro-Dose measures radiation doses as low as 10 microrads.
1990 Harvard Business Rev. Mar. 213/2 While 1,000 rads will kill quickly, 1,000 microrads have no discernible effect.
microtesla n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌtɛslə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌtɛslə/
ΚΠ
1970 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 267 227 (note) The units of magnetic field used are the nanotesla..and the microtesla.
1995 Daily Tel. 5 Oct. 5/5 The report..recommends a safety limit for exposure to electromagnetic radiation of 0.2 microteslas—8,000 times lower than the current British standard.
microvolt n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)vəʊlt/
,
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)vɒlt/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌvoʊlt/
ΚΠ
1868 J. L. Clark Elem. Treat. Electr. Measurem. 43 One millionth of a volt = 1 microvolt.
1897 Science 24 Sept. 471/2 A deflection of 36 millimetres at 2 metres for one microvolt.
1967 Electronics 6 Mar. 80/2 (advt.) It's an honest nanovoltmeter whose high sensitivity and complete guarding also simplify measurements in the microvolt area.
1995 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92 12081/1 Brain activity can be reliably analyzed by using spectral power estimates (in microvolts squared).
microwatt n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)wɒt/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌwɑt/
ΚΠ
1909 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 82 246 This means, for the time, a power of 21 microwatts.
1914 R. Stanley Text-bk. Wireless Telegr. xvii. 261 Duddell carried out experiments to find the minimum power required to produce audible signals in a telephone receiver at different frequencies, and found that, while 430 microwatts were required at 300 frequency, only 7·7 microwatts were required at 900 frequency.
1994 Physical Rev. E. 49 3143 With a plane capillary, this may allow detection of infrared radiation at a microwatt level.
† microweber n. Obsolete rare
ΚΠ
1896 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 10 July 701/1 Microwebers × linkages = microcoulombs × ohms.
b.
microdegree n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)dᵻˌɡriː/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊdəˌɡri/
one millionth of a degree centigrade (kelvin).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > measurement of temperature > [noun] > unit > specific
Fahrenheit degree1841
Celsius degree1847
Kelvin degree1941
millidegree1951
microdegree1957
Rankine degree1963
Kelvin1968
1957 Science Progress 45 415 Another..task would be the study of lattice specific heats at microdegree temperatures.
1971 Physics Bull. Dec. 713/1 Recent work, such as the specific heat measurement by Ahlers (1971) is characterized by temperature resolution as small as a microdegree.
1989 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86 1225/2 Heat bursts..that raise the sample temperature by microdegrees.
c. Reduplicated to denote a factor of 10–12 (corresponding to the single prefix pico- comb. form).
micromicrocoulomb n.
Brit. /mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkuːlɒm/
,
/mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkuːləʊm/
,
/mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)kuːˌlɒm/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈmaɪkroʊˌkulɑm/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈmaɪkroʊˌkuloʊm/
ΚΠ
1934 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 144 324 In what follows the value of PC are expressed in terms of micro-micro-coulombs per minute per volt.
1946 C. B. Sheppard in Moore School Lect. (1985) 265 If the ten microampere beam were on for one half microsecond, the maximum negative charge that could be stored would be five micromicrocoulombs.
micromicrocurie n.
Brit. /mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkjʊəri/
,
/mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌkjɔːri/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈmaɪkroʊˌkjʊri/
ΚΠ
1954 Science 7 May 620/2 The activity was found bo be 270 micromicrocuries per milliliter.
1961 Daily Tel. 10 Oct. 18/3 In the past 23 days, the average amount of radioactivity in every kilogram of air has been 3·42 micro-microcuries.
micromicrofarad n.
Brit. /mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌfarad/
,
/mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌfarəd/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈmaɪkroʊˌfɛˌræd/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊˈmaɪkroʊˌfɛrəd/
now rare
ΚΠ
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. Micro-microfarad.
1912 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 87 407 The condenser was disconnected and measurements made of the capacity of the leads, which was of the order of 30 micromicrofarads.
1962 D. R. Corson & P. Lorrain Introd. Electromagn. Fields ii. 60 A sphere one meter in radius has a capacitance of about 100 micro-microfarads.
5. Prefixed to a noun, with the sense ‘relating to or obtained by microphotography or microprinting; reproduced at a reduced size by the use of microphotography or microprinting’.
a.
micro book n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrəʊ bʊk/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊ ˌbʊk/
ΚΠ
1943 ‘A. Boucher’ in Astounding Sci.-Fiction Aug. 100/2 There were even microbooks in the rocket, with a small pocket-model viewer; there was hardly space for a projector.
1944 College & Res. Libr. Sept. 307/1 Why could we not put our micro-books on the (at present entirely unused) backs of their own catalog cards?
1970 New Scientist 31 Dec. 601/1 The micro book..opens up the prospect of vast reductions in the world's consumption of paper.
1971 Brit. Printer Jan. 80/1 An inventor, who has been working for two years to develop a practicable ‘micro book’, has come up with a solution.
micro edition n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrəʊ ᵻˌdɪʃn/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊ əˌdɪʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1970 New Scientist 31 Dec. 601/2 Publishers of technical journals..could put out in micro editions some of the..specialised research material that cannot be included in their normal issues.
1971 Brit. Printer Jan. 80/2 PVC paper also has the advantage, for micro editions, of being durable, difficult to tear and waterproof.
microrecord n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrəʊˌrɛkɔːd/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌrɛkərd/
ΚΠ
1943 H. W. Greenwood Document Photogr. 113 The degree of contrast called for should bear some relation to the use to which the Micro records are to be put.
1948 Sci. News 7 90 The Airgraph scheme..made one advantage of such micro-records obvious to the general public.
1991 Statist. Sci. 6 236 One of the data stewards for microrecords collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
microrecording n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)rᵻˌkɔːdɪŋ/
,
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)rᵻˈkɔːdɪŋ/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊrəˈkɔrdɪŋ/
,
/ˌmaɪkroʊriˈkɔrdɪŋ/
ΚΠ
1940 Ecology 21 275/1 Combining the principle of Weickmann's instrument with the micro-recording of the meteorological devices I arrived at the solution here described and figured.
1957 J. Burkett Microrecording in Libr. i. 8 Microrecording was first put on a business-like footing in 1928 when Eastman Kodak introduced its Recordak Division.
micro-reproduction n.
Brit. /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)riːprəˈdʌkʃn/
,
U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˌriprəˈdəkʃ(ə)n/
ΚΠ
1936 Microphotogr. for Libr. (Amer. Libr. Assoc.) 19 Professor G. Van Iterson, Jr.,..has also carried out a series of studies on the microreproduction of printed matter.
1938 Trans. 14th Conf. Fédération Internat. de Documentation I. 149 (heading) The preparation and reading of micro-reproductions of treatises.
1999 Itar-Tass Asian News Digest (Electronic ed.) 22 Dec. Micro-reproductions of paintings by Vasnetsov, Rubens,..and minature copies of books.
microtext n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)tɛkst/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkrəˌtɛkst/
,
/ˈmaɪkroʊˌtɛkst/
ΚΠ
1944 F. Rider Scholar & Future of Res. Libr. ii. i. 99 Why might we not combine the micro-texts of our books, and the catalog cards for these same books, in one single entity?
1973 Computers & Humanities 7 163 Anyone who uses the subject part of an ordinary library catalog, whether in card, book, or microtext form, would benefit from this explanation.
1989 Lit. & Ling. Computing 4 278/1 Given our understanding of sender preferences emerging from the macrotexts, we can next interpret actual samples (microtexts) extrapolated from the four novels.
1998 Coin News May 49/2 The paper also contains a security threat with the microtext 200 LITU.
b.
microreader n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌriːdə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌridər/
an apparatus for producing an enlarged readable image from a microfilm or microprint.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > magnification or magnifying instruments > [noun] > microfilm viewer > microfilm or microform reader
reading machine1922
microfilm reader1936
reader1936
microreader1949
1949 Summary Proc. 3rd Ann. Conf. Amer. Theol. Libr. Assoc. 11 The reading machines are new on the market. I am proud to say that our library has the first microreader that any library in the world ever possessed.
1970 Publishers' Weekly 8 June 152/1 Obviously it is not possible for people to read microfilmed material without some magnification device, hence the microreader which you can see in most libraries.
1986 M. Hughes Dream Catcher iv. 53 Somewhere in her heart was an image, as foggy as an out-of-focus microreader.
microviewer n.
Brit. /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˌvjuːə/
,
U.S. /ˈmaɪkroʊˌvjuər/
= microreader n.
ΚΠ
1972 M. J. Bosse Incident at Naha iii. 153 I feel I'm turning into a library. I'll start dreaming I'm a card catalog or a microviewer.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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