micrometry 
micrometry (mi-krom'et-ri), . [= F. mirro- 
mctric; us nin-riniii'lcr + -y a .] The art of mea- 
suring small objects or distances with a mi- 
croiucl'-r. 
mlcromillimeter, micromillimetre (mi-kro- 
niiri-mr-t(T). H. [ir. innpof, small, + K. ntil'li- 
iin-iir.] 1. The millionth part of a millimeter. 
2. The thousandth part of a millimeter: for- 
merly and sometimes still used by biologists. 
Tim equivalent used by metrologists and physi- 
cists is micron. 
micromineralogical (mi * kro -min*e-ra-loj 'i- 
kal), a. [< /iiii-i-iiiiiincralog-y + -ic-al.f Pertain- 
ing to micromineralogy. 
Rocks may occur the structure of which . . . has been 
yet more obscured by subsequent micromineraloffieal 
change. Quart. Jour. Oeol. Soc., XLIV. 42. 
micrpmineralogy (mi-kro-mm-e-ral'o-ji). . 
[< Or. iwtpi'x;, small, + fl. mineralogy.] That 
part of mineralogy which has to do with the 
study of the optical, chemical, or other char- 
acters of minerals by means of the microscope, 
as they are observed, for example, in thin sec- 
tions of rocks. 
micron (mi'kron), n. [NL., < Or. funpdv, neut. 
of fitptf, also a/tucpAf, small, minute.] The mil- 
lionth part of a meter, or irtiro of an English 
inch. This term has been formally adopted by the Inter- 
national Commission of Weights and Measures, represent- 
ing the civilized nations of the world, and is adopted by 
all metrologists. The quantity is denoted by the Greek 
letter >< written above the line: as, 25^.4. 
Micronesian (mi-kro-ne'si-an), <t. and n. [< 
ilicroneaia (< Gr. [ttxpovr/ooc;, a small island, < 
iiik/n'ii;, small, + vrjoof, an island: see def.) + 
-an.] I. a. Of or pertaining to Micronesia, a 
collection of islands and groups of islands, 
chiefly of coral formation, in the Pacific ocean, 
the principal of which are the Marshall, Gil- 
bert, Caroline, and Ladrone groups. 
II. . A native or an inhabitant of Micro- 
nesia. 
micronometer (mi-kro-nom'e-ter), u. A cor- 
rupt form of inicrochronometer. 
micronucleus (mi-kro-nu'kle-us), n. ; pi. mi- 
cronuclei (-1). [NL., <; Gr. /i<(cpof, small, + NL. 
nucleus, q. v.] A small nucleus : distinguished 
from macron ucleus. 
The micromulem is a hermaphrodite sexual element, of 
sole importance in conjugation. Amer. Sat., XXII. 256. 
micronymy (mi-kron'i-mi), . [< Qr.juKpuwfiof, 
< /iiKp6<;, small, + UVV/M, orofia, name.] The use 
of short easy words instead of long hard ones. 
Astronomers have set an example In micronymy that 
anatomists might well follow. 
Buck's Handbook of Med. Sciences, VIII. 629. 
micro-organic (ral'kr6-6r-gan'ik), a. [<Gr. 
fitxpof, small, + E. organic, after micro-organ- 
ism.] Having the character of a micro-organ- 
ism; of or pertaining to microbes and other 
micro-organisms: microbial. 
micro-organism (ml-kro-6r'gan-izm), n. [< Gr. 
/Mipof, small, + E. organism.^ A microscopic 
organism, as a bacillus, bacterium, or vibrio; 
a microbe ; a microzoary. 
The microiirganitnu of the principal infectious diseases 
of men and the lower animals. Amer. Xnl.. XXIII. 50. 
Micropalama (mi-kro-pal'a-mil), H. [NL.,< Gr. 
/ifxpof, small, + iraM/jii, the palm of the hand: 
see palm 1 .'] A genus of Scolopacida; establish- 
ed by 8. F. Baird in 1858 : so called from the 
Stilt-sandpiper {AJicrefalama 
semipalmation of the feet ; the stilt-sandpipers. 
There is but one species, .V. himatUojna, a common bird 
of North America. It is migratory through the United 
st:ii, - in spring and fall, breeding in high latitudes, 
micropantograph (mi-kro-pan'to-graf), n. [< 
',.* - . small. + K. I'HiiliMirapti.]' An instru- 
ment constructed on the general principle of the 
pantograph for executing extremely minute 
writing and I'littruviti);. Hy means of this instrument 
the Lord's prayer has been written on glass within tin 1 
spc< ;i square inch. Also <-;\lle<l micrograph. 
3751 
microparasite (mi -kr?- par' a -sit), n. [< Gr. 
fiiKp6f, wmall,+ E. purnxiti-. ] A parasitic micro- 
organ Urn. 
The number of substances which are less Injurious to 
man than to micro-parantfg is very small. 
Science, III. 180. 
microparasitic (rm-kro-par-a-sit'ik), a. [< wi- 
i-rii/iiintxite + -ic.] Having the character of or 
pertaining to microparasitea ; caused by mi- 
croparasites : as, microparasitic diseases. 
micropathological (mijlcrd-f ath-o-loj'i-kal), a. 
[< microi>atholog-y + -ic-al.\ Of 'or pertaining 
to micropathology : as, micropathological inves- 
tigation. 
micropathologist (mi'kro-pa-thol'o-jist), H. 
[< miuropatholog^y + -ist.] One who treats of 
or is versed in micropathology. 
micropathology (mi'kro-pa-thol'6-ii), . [< Gr. 
fuitpof, small, + E. pathology.] 1. The scientific 
study of micro-organisms in their relations to 
disease. 2. Morbid histology. 
micropegmatite (mi-kro-peg 7 ma-tit), . [< Gr. 
funpAs, small, + E. pegmatite.] "A rock having 
a micropegmatitic structure. 
micropegmatitic (mi-kro-peg-ma-tit'ik), a. [< 
micropegtaatite + -ic.] Having the structure 
of graphic granite, but in a microscopic rather 
than macroscopic form. See pegmatite and. mi- 
crogranulitic. 
microperthitic (mi'kro-per-thit'ik), a. [X Or. 
ftixpof, small, 4- E.perthite + -ic.] Exhibiting, 
under the microscope, the structure of perthite 
that is, an interlamination of orthoclase (or 
microcline) and albite. Nature, XXXVII. 459. 
microphagist (mi-krof'a-jist), n. [< Gr. fUKpof, 
small, + 0}eiv, eat, + -ist.] An eater of micro- 
scopic objects; an animal that feeds upon or- 
ganisms of microscopic size. 
Several species [of diatoms) . . . have been supplied in 
abundance by the careful dissection of the above microph- 
ayiftt. W. B. Carpenter, Micros. (I'hilu. ed., 1866), p. 306. 
microphone (mi'kro-fon), n. [= F. microphone 
= Sp. microfono, <' Gr. /unpof, small, + <j*wq, 
voice, sounof.] An instrument for augmenting 
small sounds. The instrument Invented for this pur- 
pose by Mr. Hughes in 1878 is based on the fact that when 
substances possessing little electrical conductivity are 
R laced in the course of an electric current, the conductlv- 
y of the system is much increased by even the very small- 
est amount of pressure. The Instrument has various 
forms, but in most of them one piece of charcoal Is held 
loosely between two other pieces in such a manner as to 
be affected by the slightest vibrations conveyed to It by 
the air or by any other medium. The two external pieces 
are placed in connection with a telephone, and when the 
ear Is placed at the ear-piece of the telephone the sounds 
caused by a fly walking on the wooden support of the mi- 
crophone appear as loud as the tramp of a horse. By 
suitable arrangements the sounds of the human voice con- 
veyed from a distance by the telephone can be made au- 
dible in every part of a hall. Microphone relay, a deli- 
cate microphone mounted on or connected with the mem- 
brane of the receiving telephone, as a relay. Hee relay. 
microphonic (mi-kro-fon'ik), a. [As micro- 
phone + -ic.] Of or pertaining to or obtained 
by means of the microphone ; serving to inten- 
sify small or weak sounds ; microcoustic. Also 
microjihonous. 
A large induction-coil is essential In connection with 
the transmitter when this receiver is used, and any mi- 
crophonic transmitter will answer. 
T. D. Lodnrood, Elect., Mag., and Teleg., p. 315. 
microphonics (mi-kro-fon'iks), w. [PI. of *mi- 
cropltonic : see -ics.] The science of augment- 
ing small sounds. 
microphonous (mi-krof'o-nus), a. [As micro- 
phone + -ous.] Same as microphonic. 
microphony (uai'kro-fp-ni), n. [= P. micro- 
phonte, < Gr. luxpoQuvia, weakness of voice, < 
luxptyuvos, having a small or weak voice, < fit- 
Kpoi'i small, + <p<jv^, voice.] Weakness of voice. 
microphotograph (mi-kro-fo'to-graf), n. [< 
Gr. /uKpAf, small. + E. photograph.] 1. A 
photograph of any object, made so small as to 
require a microscope for its examination; "a 
microscopic photograph of a macroscopic ob- 
ject" (A. C. Mercer). 2. See photomicrograph. 
microphotography (ml'kro-fo-tog'ra-fi). n. [< 
Gr. [UKp6$, small, + E. photography.] The 
photographing of objects of any size upon a 
microscopic or very small scale. A notable use of 
microphotography was the copying of letters and des- 
patches to be carried by carrier-pigeons during the siege 
of Paris in 1870-1. Compare photomicrography. 
microphthalmia (mMo-of-thal'mi-a), n. [NL., 
< (Jr. [iiicp6<pOa).tiof, having small eyes, < fUKpos, 
small, + o^8o?Jiof, eye: see ophthalmia.] An 
abnormal smalmess of the eye. Also microph- 
t/Hlhin/. 
microphthalmic (mi-krof-thul'mik), a. [< nii- 
fro/ilithiihiiiii + -/(.] Pertaining to or charac- 
terized by microphthalmia. 
Micropterus 
microphthalmy (ini'krof-tlml-ini), . [< NL. 
farvpMotate, q. v.] Same as mir//i/irA>i/. 
mill. 
Microphthira (mi-krof-thi'ra), n. pi. [NL., < 
Gr. /unpof, small, + qtttin, a louse.] In Latreille'H 
system of classification, the ninth family of his 
Accra, or Acarides, consisting of the six-legged 
larval stages of various mites. Uptut and the two 
other supposed genera which he located here represent the 
genera Argot and TronMditm. Also lUcropMtUria. 
micropnthire (mi'krof-thir), n. A larval acarid 
with six legs; a member of the Alicrophthiru. 
microphylline (rm-kro-nl'in), a. [As micrn- 
phyll-ous + -ine.] Composed of minute leaf- 
lets or scales. 
Considered In the way of analogy, the follaceous Verm- 
carisjcl may be said to represent Umbillcarla and I'an- 
narla : passing, like both of these, into inicrophyUiM, and, 
like the last, Into finally almost crustaceons forms. 
Tucterman, den. Llchenum, p. 246. 
microphyllous (mi-kro-firus), a. [< Gr. iiitpo. 
^i'//of, having small leaves, < umpk, small, + 
'.>/ /AT. leaf.] In hot., having small leaves. 
microphysiography (mi-kro-fiz-i-og'ra-fi), n. 
[< Gr. /i<Kp6f, small, + E. physiography.'] See 
physiography. 
microphytal (mi'kro-fi-tal), a. [< microphyte 
+ -al.] Pertaining to, of the nature of, or con- 
sisting of microphytes. 
microphyte (mi kro-fit), . [= F. microphyte, 
< Gr. /uiipoc, small, + Qvrnv, a plant.] A mi- 
croscopic plant, especially one tliat is parasitic 
in its habits. 
microphytic (mi-kro-fifik), a. [< microphyte + 
-ic.] Pertaining to or caused by microphytes : 
as, microphytic diseases. 
micropod (mi'kro-pod), H. A member of the 
Micropoda. 
Micropoda (nri-krop'o-dtt), ii. pi. [NL., < Gr. 
fiKp6f, small, + Toif (wod-) = E. foot.] In some 
systems, a division of monomyarian bivalves, 
comprising those which have the foot rudimen- 
tary or obsolete, as scallops, oysters, and the 
like. 
MicropodidSB (mi-kro-pod'i-de), . pi. [NL., < 
Microi>us (-pod-) + -ida:] In oniith., a family 
of fissirostral picarian birds; the swifts ort'yp- 
selida: See cut under Cynselm. 
Micropodinae (mi'kro-po-di'ne), n.pl. [NL., < 
Microjius (-pod-) + -<W!] In ornith., the typi- 
cal swifts or Cypgeliwf. 
Micropodoideae (mi'kro-po-doi'de-e), n. pi. 
[NL., < Micropus (-pod-) + '-oidetr.] A super- 
family of picarian birds composed of the swifts 
and humming-birds, Cypselida; and Trochilida- ; 
C'ypseliformen in a strict sense ; t'ypselomorpha- 
without the Caprimulgidte. 
microporphyritic (m'i-kro-p6r-n-rit'ik). a. [< 
Gr. piKf>6t, small, + E. porphyritic.] See por- 
phyritic. 
microprosopus (mi'kro-pro-so'pus), n. [< Gr. 
tunp6f, small, + Ttpoouiroi; face.] In teratol., 
a monster with an imperfectly developed face. 
micropsia (mi-krop'si-a), it. [NL., < Gr. lunpof, 
small, + 6V"f. view.] In pathol., an affection 
of the eye in which objects appear less than 
their actual size. 
Microptera (mi-krop'te-rft), n. pi. [NL., neut. 
pi. of micropterus: see nticropteroMS.] In entom.: 
(a) The name given by Gravenhorst in 1802 to 
the rove-beetles (Stapnylinidtr) and their allies, 
on account of the shortness of the wing-covers. 
They are now called Brachelutra. (b) A group 
of dipterous insects named "by Robineau-Den- 
voidy in 1830. 
Micrbpterinse (mi-krop-te-ri'ne), u. pi. [NL., 
< Micropteru.1 + -ina-.] 'A subfamily of Cen- 
trarchidtr, typified by the genus Micropterug. 
micropterous (nii-krop'te-rus), a. [< NL. mi- 
eropterui, < Gr. fuitpos, small, T xTep6i; a wing, 
= E. feather.] Having short wings or fins. 
Micropterus (mi-krop'te-rus), n. [NL.: see mi- 
croptcroun.] 1. In i'cnfA.,agenusof centrarchid 
fishes, the type of the subfamily Micropterintr, 
established by Lacepede in 1802. There are two 
species, M. dotomieu ana .. talmnidet, or the small- and 
large-mouthed black-baas, both highly prized by sportsmen 
and epicures. Baas of this genus are variously known as 
green-, lake-, moo-, manh-, rieer-, etc., baa; black-, yet 
low-, and jumping pereh, and tnut perch; black tnnit, 
ifhile-trvul, touthern or Roanoke chub, and by many other 
local or fanciful misnomers. Sometimes called Grytta. 
See cut at Mack-batt, 1. 
2. In ornith.. a genus of sea-ducks of the fam- 
ily .tniitidir and subfamily Fuligtilimr, named 
by Lesson in 1831. There Is* but one species, Jf. chte- 
nta, the well-known steamer-duck of South America. 
The genus Is now called Tarhycret, the name Microptt- 
rut being preoccupied in Ichthyology. 
3. In fiitoiii.. n genus of coleopterous insects. 
