micro-, micr-

(Greek: small, tiny; also, a decimal prefix used in the international metric system for measurements)

One millionth part of [something]; in the metric system: 10-6 [0.000 001].

microhm
microliter (µL)
One µL is a very tiny drop of water.
microlithography
Any of several techniques for the production of micro scale devices; especially, the production of semiconductor devices using beams of photons or electrons.
micrology (s) (noun) (no plural)
1. A branch of science that gives attention to very small forms of research: The students were upset that the professor was assigning them to investigate the micrology of insects living in winter conditions.
2. Attention that is given to or a study that involves trivial or unimportant matters or petty differences: Andre was accused of committing a micrology when he complained that Mason arrived five minutes late for a meeting.
A discussion of trivial matters or petty differences.
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micromachines
micromechanics
1. The microminiaturization of mechanical devices; such as, gears, motors, rotors, etc. using similar photomasking techniques as in chip making.
2. The combination of minuscule electrical and mechanical components in a single device less than one millimeter across; such as, a valve or a motor.

Although micromechanical production processes and applications are still in the developmental process, efforts have been started to develop machines; called micromachines or micromechanisms, which will be 1,000 times smaller.

micromelittophilous (adjective) (not comparablew)
Descriptive of pollination by small bees: Micromelittophilous fertilization by little bees often takes place in urban areas where there are a lot of miniature flowers.
micromelittophily (s) (noun) (no pl)
The process of pollination by small bees: It was interesting for Jenny to learn about micromelittophily because she could observe the little bees buzzing around and fertilizing the tiny flowers on the lawn where she lived in the city with her parents.
micrometer
micromicrocurie
micromicrofarad
micromyiophilous (adjective) (not comparable)
Concerning little flies that pollinate flowers: In a book that Jane read, micromyiophilous flies were explained as tiny flies that fertilized the little flowers that grew on the lawn beside her house.
micromyiophily (s) (noun) (no pl)
The situation of tiny flies pollinating plants: Micromyiophily describes the fondness of tiny flies in feeding on the nectar of flowers, going from one flower to the next, and fertilizing them on their course of travel.
micron, mikron
1. Also called micrometer, it is the millionth part of a meter. Symbol: μ, mu.
2. In chemistry, it is a colloidal particle whose diameter is between 0.2 and 10 microns.
3. In physics, it is a very small unit of pressure, equal to that exerted by a column of mercury 1μ high.

The links on a microchain drive created by Sandia National laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, and announced in January, 2002, are only 50 micrometers apart.

The microchain is constructed of silicon and is designed to transmit power in micro-electromechanical devices.

A microchain that closely resembles a bicycle chain—except that each link could rest comfortably on a human hair—has been fabricated at the Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories. The distance between chain link centers is 50 microns. The diameter of a human hair is approximately 70 microns.

The term was officially sanctioned as part of the metric system from 1879-1967 and is still used in some fields of activity.

Micronesia

Related "few, small, less, little" word units: mini-; mio-, meio-; nano-; oligo-, olig-.


Related "metric" families: yotta; zetta; exa; peta; tera; giga; mega; kilo; hecto; deka; deci; centi; milli; nano; pico; femto; atto; zepto; yocto.