Mickle - Microsorium

Prev Next

Mickle (mĭkk'l), a. [OE. mikel, muchel, mochel, mukel, AS. micel, mycel; akin to OS. mikil, OHG. mihil, mihhil, Icel. mikill, mykill, Goth. mikils, L. magnus, Gr. megas, gen. megaloy; cf. Skr. mahat. √103. Cf. , , .] Much; great. [Written also muckle and mockle.] [Old Eng. & Scot.] “A man of mickle might.” Spenser.
[ Webster]

Micmacs (?), n. pl.; sing. Micmac (�). (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians inhabiting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. [Written also Mikmaks.]
[ Webster]

Mico (?), n. [Sp. or Pg. mico.] (Zoöl.) A small South American monkey (Mico melanurus), allied to the marmoset. The name was originally applied to an albino variety.
[ Webster]

Micracoustic (?), a. Same as .
[ Webster]

Micraster (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. mikros small + � star.] (Paleon.) A genus of sea urchins, similar to Spatangus, abounding in the chalk formation; -- from the starlike disposal of the ambulacral furrows.
[ Webster]

Micrencephalous (?), [Micr- + Gr. � brain.] Having a small brain.
[ Webster]

{ Micro- (?), Micr- }. [Gr. mikros small.] A combining form signifying: (a) Small, little, trivial, slight; as, microcosm, microscope. (b) (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.) A millionth part of; as, microfarad, microohm, micrometer.
[ Webster]

Microampère (?), n. [Micr- + ampère.] (Elec.) One of the smaller measures of electrical currents; the millionth part of one ampère.
[ Webster]

Microanalysis (?), n. [Micro- + analysis.] 1. Analysis of the structure of materials from careful observation of photomicrographs.
[Webster Suppl.]

2. (Chem.) chemical analysis of very small quantities of substances, requiring special apparatus to handle and weigh small amounts of materials.
[PJC]

Microbacteria (?), n. pl. [NL. See , and .] (Biol.) In the classification of Cohn, one of the four tribes of Bacteria.
[ Webster]

☞ In this classification bacteria are divided into four tribes: 1. Spherobacteria, or spherical bacteria, as the genus Micrococcus. 2. Microbacteria, or bacteria in the form of short rods, including the genus Bacterium. 3. Desmobacteria, or bacteria in straight filaments, of which the genus Bacillus is a type. 4. Spirobacteria, or bacteria in spiral filaments, as the genus Vibrio.
[ Webster]

Microbarograph (?), n. [Micro- + barograph.] An instrument for recording minor fluctuations of atmospheric pressure, as opposed to general barometric surges.
[Webster Suppl.]

{ Microbe (?), Microbion (?), } n. [NL. microbion, fr. Gr. � little + � life.] (Biol.) A microscopic organism; a microorganism; -- particularly applied to bacteria and especially to pathogenic forms; as, the microbe of fowl cholera.
[ Webster]

microbial, microbian (?), a. (Biol.) Of, pertaining to, or caused by, microbes; as, microbial growth; the microbian theory; a microbian disease.
[ Webster +PJC]

Microbic (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to a microbe.
[ Webster]

Microbicide (?), n. [Microbe + L. caedere to kill.] (Biol.) Any agent detrimental to, or destructive of, the life of microbes or bacterial organisms.
[ Webster]

Microbiology (?), n. [See ; .] The branch of biology studying minute organisms, or microbes, such as the bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. -- Microbiological (#), a. -- Microbiologist (#), n.
[Webster Suppl. +PJC]

{ Microcephalic (?), Microcephalous (?), } a. [Micro- + cephalic, cephalous.] (Anat.) Having a small head; having the cranial cavity small; -- opposed to megacephalic.
[ Webster]

microchemical, micro-chemical (?), a. Of or pertaining to microchemistry; as, a micro-chemical test.
[ Webster]

microchemistry, micro-chemistry (?), n. [Micro- + chemistry.] The application of chemical tests to minute objects or portions of matter, usually assisted by sensitive instruments; -- distinguished from macro-chemistry.
[ Webster]

Microchronometer (?), n. A chronoscope.
[ Webster]

Microcline (?), n. [Micro- + Gr. � to incline.] (Min.) A mineral of the feldspar group, like orthoclase or common feldspar in composition, but triclinic in form.
[ Webster]

Micrococcal (?), a. Of or pertaining to micrococci; caused by micrococci. Nature.
[ Webster]

Micrococcus (?), n.; pl. Micrococci (#). [NL. See , and .] (Biol.) A genus of Spherobacteria, in the form of very small globular or oval cells, forming, by transverse division, filaments, or chains of cells, or in some cases single organisms shaped like dumb-bells (Diplococcus), all without the power of motion. See Illust. of .
[ Webster]

☞ Physiologically, micrococci are divided into three groups; chromogenic, characterized by their power of forming pigment; zymogenic, including those associated with definite chemical processes; and pathogenic, those connected with disease.
[ Webster]

microcomputer n. A small computer based on a microprocessor; in practise, at any given time in the technology of computer development, a microcomputer will be one that is less powerful than a minicomputer.
Syn. -- personal computer, PC.
[WordNet 1.5]

Microcosm (?), n. [F. microcosme, L. microcosmus, fr. Gr. mikros small + kosmos the world.] 1. A little world; a miniature universe. Hence (so called by Paracelsus), a man, as a supposed epitome of the exterior universe or great world. Opposed to macrocosm. Shak.
[ Webster]

2. A relatively small object or system considered as representative of a larger system of which it is part, exhibiting many features of the complete system.
[PJC]

{ Microcosmic (?), Microcosmical (?), } a. [Cf. F. microcosmique.] Of or pertaining to the microcosm.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Microcosmic salt (Chem.), a white crystalline substance obtained by mixing solutions of sodium phosphate and ammonium phosphate, and also called hydric-sodic-ammonic-phosphate. It is a powerful flux, and is used as a substitute for borax as a blowpipe reagent in testing for the metallic oxides. Originally obtained by the alchemists from human urine, and called sal microcosmicum.
[ Webster]

Microcosmography (?), n. [Microcosm + -graphy.] Description of man as a microcosm.
[ Webster]

Microcoulomb (?), n. [Micro- + coulomb.] (Elec.) A measure of electrical quantity; the millionth part of one coulomb.
[ Webster]

Microcoustic (?), a. [Micro- + acoustic: cf. F. microcoustique, micracoustique.] Pertaining, or suited, to the audition of small sounds; fitted to assist hearing.
[ Webster]

Microcoustic, n. An instrument for making faint sounds audible, as to a partially deaf person.
[ Webster]

Microcrith (?), n. [Micro- + crith.] (Chem.) The weight of the half hydrogen molecule, or of the hydrogen atom, at one time taken as the standard in comparing the atomic weights of the elements; thus, an atom of oxygen weighs sixteen microcriths. This unit is no longer used, and has been replaced by the Dalton, which is of approximately the same value. See and . J. P. Cooke.
[ Webster +PJC]

Microcrystalline (?), a. [Micro- + crystalline.] (Crystallog.) Crystalline on a fine, or microscopic, scale; consisting of fine crystals; as, the ground mass of certain porphyrics is microcrystalline.
[ Webster]

Microcyte (?), n. [Micro- + Gr. � a hollow vessel.] (Physiol.) One of the elementary granules found in blood. They are much smaller than an ordinary corpuscle, and are particularly noticeable in disease, as in anæmia.
[ Webster]

Microdont (?), a. [Micr- + Gr. 'odoys, 'odontos, a tooth.] (Anat.) Having small teeth.
[ Webster]

Microfarad (?), n. [Micro- + farad.] (Elec.) The millionth part of a farad.
[ Webster]

Microfilm (?), n. [Micro- + film.] a photographic film with one or more very small images of printed or other graphic matter. Numerous images, corresponding to the contents of a book, newspaper, or journal, are typically produced on one long roll of film, and may be viewed for reading in a special apparatus called a microfilm reader.
[PJC]

Microfilm (?), v. t. to photograph and produce images of on microfilm.
[PJC]

Microform (?), n. [Micro- + form, n.] (Biol.) A microscopic form of life; an animal or vegetable organism of microscopic size.
[ Webster]

Micro-geological (?), a. Of or pertaining to micro-geology.
[ Webster]

Micro-geology (?), n. [Micro- + geology.] The part of geology relating to structure and organisms which require to be studied with a microscope.
[ Webster]

Micrograph (?), n. [See .] 1. An instrument for executing minute writing or engraving.
[ Webster]

2. a graphic image, such as a photograph or drawing, representing an object as seen with a microscope, usually much enlarged as compared with the original object. A photograph of a microscopic image is also called a photomicrograph or microphotograph.
[PJC]

Micrographic (?), a. Of or pertaining to micrography.
[ Webster]

Micrography (?), n. [Micro- + -graphy: cf. F. micrographie.] 1. The description of microscopic objects.
[ Webster]

2. Examination or study by means of the microscope, as of an etched surface of metal to determine its structure.
[Webster Suppl.]

Microhm (?), n. [Micr- + ohm.] (Elec.) The millionth part of an ohm.
[ Webster]

Microlepidoptera (?), n. pl. [NL. See , and .] (Zoöl.) A tribe of Lepidoptera, including a vast number of minute species, as the plume moth, clothes moth, etc.
[ Webster]

Microlestes (?), n. [NL., from Gr. mikros small + � a robber.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of small Triassic mammals, the oldest yet found in European strata.
[ Webster]

Microlite (?), n. [Micro- + -lite.] (Min.)
[ Webster]

1. A rare mineral of resinous luster and high specific gravity. It is a tantalate of calcium, and occurs in octahedral crystals usually very minute.
[ Webster]

2. (Min.) A minute inclosed crystal, often observed when minerals or rocks are examined in thin sections under the microscope.
[ Webster]

Microlith (?), n. [Micro- + lith.] (Min.) Same as , 2.
[ Webster]

Microlithic (?), a. Formed of small stones.
[ Webster]

{ Micrologic (?), Micrological (?), } a. Of or pertaining to micrology; very minute; as, micrologic examination. -- Micrologically, adv.
[ Webster]

Micrology (?), n. [Micro- + -logy.] 1. That part of science which treats of microscopic objects, or depends on microscopic observation.
[ Webster]

2. Attention to petty items or differences. W. Taylor.
[ Webster]

micromercurialism n. [micro + mercurialism. Coined by the chemist A. Stock in 1926. See .] (1926) A form of mercury poisoning resulting from long term exposure to low doses of mercury. The syndrome of micromercurialism involves complex symptoms of stress, fatigue, memory loss, fine tremors, muscular and reflex insufficiency and low blood pressure, caused by accumulation of mercury in the system. A condition of hyperthermia is accompanied by a series of functional changes under the effects of mercury. The combined simultaneous effect of toxic action, temperature and galvanic response infers a cycle of disintegration and change. Work With Mercury (1972) As proposed by Stock, the syndrome was considered as the union of pathological changes in human body caused by means of low concentrations (as low as 0.01 mg per cubic meter) of mercury vapor over long exposure times (up to 10 years).
[PJC]

Micromere (?), n. [Micro- + -mere.] (Biol.) One of the smaller cells, or blastomeres, resulting from the complete segmentation of a telolecithal ovum.
[ Webster]

micrometeorite n. A meteorite so small that it drifts down to Earth without becoming intensely heated in the earth's atmosphere.
[WordNet 1.5]

micrometeoritic adj. of or relating to a micrometeorite.
[WordNet 1.5]

Micrometer (?), n. [Micro- + -meter: cf. F. micromètre.] An instrument, used with a telescope or microscope, for measuring minute distances, or the apparent diameters of objects which subtend minute angles. The measurement given directly is that of the image of the object formed at the focus of the object glass.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Circular micrometer , or Coloq. Ring micrometer , a metallic ring fixed in the focus of the object glass of a telescope, and used to determine differences of right ascension and declination between stars by observations of the times at which the stars cross the inner or outer periphery of the ring. -- Coloq. Double image micrometer , a micrometer in which two images of an object are formed in the field, usually by the two halves of a bisected lens which are movable along their line of section by a screw, and distances are determined by the number of screw revolutions necessary to bring the points to be measured into optical coincidence. When the two images are formed by a bisected object glass, it is called a divided-object-glass micrometer, and when the instrument is large and equatorially mounted, it is known as a heliometer. -- Coloq. Double refraction micrometer , a species of double image micrometer, in which the two images are formed by the double refraction of rock crystal. -- Coloq. Filar micrometer , or Coloq. Bifilar micrometer . See under . -- Coloq. Micrometer caliper or Coloq. Micrometer gauge (Mech.), a caliper or gauge with a micrometer screw, for measuring dimensions with great accuracy. -- Coloq. Micrometer head , the head of a micrometer screw. -- Coloq. Micrometer microscope , a compound microscope combined with a filar micrometer, used chiefly for reading and subdividing the divisions of large astronomical and geodetical instruments. -- Coloq. Micrometer screw , a screw with a graduated head used in some forms of micrometers; turning the head one full revolution advances the position of the tip of the screw only by a little. -- Coloq. Position micrometer . See under . -- Coloq. Scale micrometer , or Coloq. Linear micrometer , a minute and very delicately graduated scale of equal parts used in the field of a telescope or microscope, for measuring distances by direct comparison.
[ Webster]

{ Micrometric (?), Micrometrical (?), } a. [Cf. F. micrométrique.] Belonging to micrometry; made by the micrometer. -- Micrometrically, adv.
[ Webster]

Micrometry (?), n. The art of measuring with a micrometer.
[ Webster]

Micromillimeter (?), n. [Micro- + millimeter.] The millionth part of a meter. The millionth part of a meter is now termed a micron, and the word micromillimeter does not conform to the IS use of the prefix .
[ Webster +PJC]

Micromyx prop. n. A genus of Old World harvest mice.
Syn. -- genus Micromyx.
[WordNet 1.5]

micron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. mikros small.] (Physics) A measure of length; the thousandth part of one millimeter; the millionth part of a meter.
[ Webster]

Micronesian (?), a. [From Micronesia, fr. Gr. mikros small + nh^sos an island.] Of or pertaining to Micronesia, a collective designation of the islands in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, embracing the Marshall and Gilbert groups, the Ladrones, the Carolines, etc.
[ Webster]

Micronesians (?), n. pl.; sing. Micronesian. (Ethnol.) A dark race inhabiting the Micronesian Islands. They are supposed to be a mixed race, derived from Polynesians and Papuans.
[ Webster]

Micronometer (?), n. [Micro- + chronometer.] An instrument for noting minute portions of time.
[ Webster]

Microörganism (?), n. [Micro- + organism.] (Biol.) Any microscopic form of life; a form of life too small to be seen by the naked eye; -- particularly applied to bacteria, protozoa, yeasts, and similar organisms, esp. such are supposed to cause infectious diseases.
[ Webster]

Micropantograph (?), n. [Micro- + pantograph.] A kind of pantograph which produces copies microscopically minute.
[ Webster]

Microparasite (?), n. A parasitic microörganism. -- Microparasitic (#), a.
[Webster Suppl.]

Micropegmatite (?), n. [Micro- + pegmatite.] (Min.) A rock showing under the microscope the structure of a graphic granite (pegmatite). -- Micropegmatitic (#), a.
[ Webster]

microphone (mīkr�fōn), n. [Micro- + Gr. fwnh sound, voice: cf. F. microphone.] (Physics) An instrument for converting sounds into electrical signals, for the purpose of recording or amplifying the sounds. It produces its effects in various ways, as for example by the changes of intensity in an electric current, occasioned by the variations in the contact resistance of conducting bodies, especially of imperfect conductors, under the action of acoustic vibrations. Other forms of microphone may use changes in capacitance or other phenomena to transduce the sounds into electrical signals. The electrical signals produced in a microphone may be transmitted to recording or amplifying equipment through a conducting wire, or by transmission as radio waves. The latter method is popular for use in small mobile microphones used by performers in plays and other entertainment events, at public meetings, and by broadcast personnel.
[ Webster +PJC]

microphonic (mīkr�fŏnĭk), a. Of or pertaining to a microphone; serving to intensify weak sounds.
[Webster Suppl.]

microphonics (mīkr�fŏnĭks), n. [See .] The science which treats of the means of increasing the intensity of low or weak sounds, or of the microphone.
[ Webster]

microphonous (m�krŏf�nŭs or mĭkrŏf�nŭs), a. Serving to augment the intensity of weak sounds; microcoustic.
[ Webster]

microphotograph (mīkr�fōt�grȧf or mĭkr�fōt�grȧf), n. [Micro- + photograph.]
[ Webster]

1. A microscopically small photograph of a picture, writing, printed page, etc.
[ Webster]

2. An enlarged representation of a microscopic object, produced by throwing upon a sensitive plate the magnified image of an object formed by a microscope or other suitable combination of lenses.
[ Webster]

☞ A picture of this kind is preferably called a photomicrograph.
[ Webster]

Microphotography (?), n. The art of making microphotographs.
[ Webster]

{ Microphthalmia (?), Microphthalmy (?), } n. [Micro- + Gr. 'ofqalmos eye.] An unnatural smallness of the eyes, occurring as the result of disease or of imperfect development.
[ Webster]

Microphyllous (?), a. [Micro- + Gr. fyllon leaf.] (Bot.) Small-leaved.
[ Webster]

Microphytal (?), a. (Bot.) Pertaining to, or of the nature of, microphytes.
[ Webster]

Microphyte (?), n. [Micro- + Gr. � a plant: cf. F. microphyte.] (Bot.) A very minute plant, one of certain unicellular algæ, such as the germs of various infectious diseases are believed to be.
[ Webster]

Micropyle (?), n. [Micro- + Gr. � gate, orifice: cf. F. micropyle.] (Biol.) (a) An opening in the membranes surrounding the ovum, by which nutrition is assisted and the entrance of the spermatozoa permitted. (b) An opening in the outer coat of a seed, through which the fecundating pollen enters the ovule. -- Micropylar (#), a.
[ Webster]

Microscopal (?), a. Pertaining to microscopy, or to the use of the microscope. Huxley.
[ Webster]

Microscope (?), n. [Micro- + -scope.] An optical instrument, consisting of a lens, or combination of lenses, for making an enlarged image of an object which is too minute to be viewed by the naked eye.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Compound microscope , an instrument consisting of a combination of lenses such that the image formed by the lens or set of lenses nearest the object (called the objective) is magnified by another lens called the ocular or eyepiece. -- Coloq. Oxyhydrogen microscope , and Coloq. Solar microscope . See under , and . -- Coloq. Simple microscope , or Coloq. Single microscope , a single convex lens used to magnify objects placed in its focus.
[ Webster]

Microscopial (?), a. Microscopic. [R.] Berkeley.
[ Webster]

{ Microscopic (?), Microscopical (?), } a. [Cf. F. microscopique.]
[ Webster]

1. Of or pertaining to the microscope or to microscopy; made with a microscope; as, microscopic observation.
[ Webster]

2. Able to see extremely minute objects.
[ Webster]

Why has not man a microscopic eye? Pope.
[ Webster]

3. Very small. Specifically, visible only by the aid of a microscope; as, a microscopic insect; also used figuratively; as, a microscopic advantage.
[ Webster +PJC]

Microscopically, adv. By the microscope; with minute inspection; in a microscopic manner.
[ Webster]

Microscopist (?; 277), n. One skilled in, or given to, microscopy.
[ Webster]

Microscopy (?), n. The use of the microscope; investigation with the microscope.
[ Webster]

Microseism (?), n. [Micro- + Gr. � an earthquake, fr. � to shake.] A feeble earth tremor not directly perceptible, but detected only by means of specially constructed apparatus. -- Microseismic (#), Microseismical (#), a.
[Webster Suppl.]

Microseismograph (?), n. [Microseiem + -graph.] A microseismometer; specif., a microseismometer producing a graphic record.
[Webster Suppl.]

Microseismology (?), n. [Microseiem + -logy.] Science or study of microseisms.
[Webster Suppl.]

Microseismometer (?), n. [Microseism + -meter.] A seismometer for measuring amplitudes or periods, or both, of microseisms. -- Microseismometry (#), n.
[Webster Suppl.]

Microseme (?), a. [Micro- + Gr. � sign, mark: cf. F. microsème.] (Anat.) Having the orbital index relatively small; having the orbits broad transversely; -- opposed to megaseme.
[ Webster]

microsome n. (Cell biology) a tiny granule in the cytoplasm of a cell; it consists of ribosomes bound to fragments of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Microsorium prop. n. A genus of tropical usually epiphytic ferns, found from Africa to Asia, and from Polynesia to Australia.
Syn. -- genus Microsorium.
[WordNet 1.5]

Prev Next

Concept Explore Home

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z