microcosm

Definition

Human nature or the human body as representative of the wider universe; man considered as a miniature counterpart of divine or universal nature.

Etymology

From French microcosme, from Latin microcosmus, from Ancient Greek μικρός (mikrós, “small”) + κόσμος (kósmos, “universe, order”); micro- + -cosm.

Example Sentences

• "The Christian humanists were emphatic in their demand that a man who wishes to understand himself must realize that he is a little world that reflects on a smaller scale the larger world of the universe. […] On the other hand, the whole idea of man as a microcosm was questioned by those who were not in sympathy with the Christian humanists."
• "If you see this in the Map of my Microcosme, followes it that I am knowne well enough too?"
• "Near-synonyms: epitome, paradigm, model"