macrocosm etymology

Etymology

Macrocosm comes from the Greek word "makrokosmos," which is a combination of the words:

  • "makros" (μακρός) = large, long
  • "kosmos" (κόσμος) = world, order

Meaning

Macrocosm refers to a large or universal system that encompasses or mirrors a smaller or particular system, known as a microcosm.

Origin

The term "macrocosm" was first coined by the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras in the 5th century BCE. He used it to describe the universe as a whole, which he believed was composed of an infinite number of tiny, indivisible particles called "homoeomeries."

The concept of the macrocosm and microcosm as parallel worlds or systems was further developed by Plato and Aristotle. In Plato's Timaeus, the macrocosm is the celestial sphere that surrounds the Earth, while the microcosm is the human body. Aristotle used the terms to refer to the universe and the individual human being, respectively.

The idea of the macrocosm and microcosm as reciprocal and interconnected entities exerted a profound influence on medieval and Renaissance thought. It was reflected in various fields such as astrology, alchemy, and medicine, where the belief was that the state of the macrocosm (e.g., the alignment of the stars) could affect the state of the microcosm (e.g., the human body).

The concept of the macrocosm and microcosm continues to be used in various fields today, including philosophy, psychology, and literature, to explore the interconnectedness of the universe and the individual.

macrocosm relate terms

  • cosmos

    Etymology The word cosmos comes from the Greek word kosmos which means order or u

  • cosmetic

    Etymology Cosmetic derives from the Late Latin word cosmeticus which means relati

  • microcosm

    Etymology Microcosm is derived from two Greek words μικρός mikros meaning

  • micro

    Etymology The word micro is derived from the Greek word mikros meaning small or

  • cosmos

    Etymology The word cosmos comes from the Greek word kosmos which means order or u

  • emaciate

    Etymology Latin emaciatus emaciated wasted Participles of emaciare to make thin

  • macro

    Etymology The word macro is derived from the Greek word makros meaning large or l

  • macrobiotic

    Etymology Derived from Greek roots makros μακρός meaning long or great

  • macron

    Etymology The word macron is derived from Greek where it means long or large It

  • meager

    Etymology The word meager originates from the Middle English word megre which is de

  • paramecium

    Etymology The term paramecium is derived from the Greek word paramēkēs which mean

  • universe

    Etymology of Universe The word universe derives from the Old French univers which

  • existence

    Etymology and Origin The word existence is derived from the Latin word existentia wh

  • creation

    Etymology The word creation derives from the Latin term creatio which means the a

  • galaxy

    Etymology The word galaxy comes from the Greek word galaxias which means milky

  • nature

    Etymology The word nature ultimately derives from the Latin word natura which means

  • reaction

    Etymology The word reaction is derived from the Latin word reactionem which means t

  • world

    Etymology Old English weoruld Proto Germanic weralz Proto Indo European wer to t

  • bluff

    Etymology The word bluff has several possible origins French bluffer to deceive

  • vampire

    Etymology The term vampire derives from the following languages French vampire

  • waffle

    Etymology The term waffle comes from the Middle Dutch word wafel meaning honeycomb