microphysics

/ˌmaɪkrəʊˈfɪzɪks/mykroh-FIZIKS

Meaningthe study of small nature

Common meaning: physics of molecules, atoms and smaller particles

microlittle, smallLiddell & Scott, Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon (1889), p. 513 (approximate) · scan
physthe way a thing grows; its natural make-upLiddell & Scott, Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon (1889), p. 876 · scan
icsthe study or practice of

‘little, small’ + ‘the way a thing grows’ → microphysics

Journey through time

Neither part’s path through time is traced in our sources yet; each root is shown from its dictionary entry.

micro — Ancient Greek μικρός (mikrós) “little, small” (dictionary form; path not traced)
phys — Greek φύσις “the way a thing grows; its natural make-up” (dictionary form; path not traced)

Sources & notes

Meaning: “Meaning” is the sense that emerges from the word’s roots; “Common meaning” is today’s everyday sense. Both written by us.

Pronunciation

UK IPA: converted from the US form by rule (unchecked). Respelling: generated.
No UK recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-GB voice.
US IPA: CMUdict (BSD-2), converted to IPA by rule. Respelling: generated.
No US recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-US voice.

Origin: Built on Ancient Greek μικρός (mikrós) ‘little, small’ + Greek φύσις ‘the way a thing grows; its natural make-up’.

Did you know (Microgravity, microinject, micromanage,…): our wording, based on Liddell & Scott, Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon (1889), entry μικρός (mikrós), p. 513 · dictionary scan

Did you know (Greek physis, "nature,…): our wording, based on Liddell & Scott, Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon (1889), entry φύσις, p. 876 · dictionary scan

Roots

μικρός (mikrós) Ancient Greek “little, small”
φύσις Greek “the way a thing grows; its natural make-up”

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