Middle English Dictionary Entry
mīcrōcosmos n.
Entry Info
| Forms | mīcrōcosmos n. Also -cosme & (error) -cocrosmos. |
| Etymology | L, from Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Man viewed as an epitome of the universe, man as a little world; (b) the philosopher's stone viewed as an epitome of the world.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)17595 : Forrþi mahht tu nemmnenn mann Affterr Grikkishe spæche Mycrocossmos, þat nemmnedd iss Affterr Ennglisshe spæche Þe little werelld.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12370-1 : Merveylle nat thogh yt be so That thow be let in thy vyage..Syth 'Mycrocosme', men the calle; And microcosme ys a word Wych clerkys calle 'the lasse world'.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)21168 : Herdystow neuere..That a man, in scrypture, Off thys phylosofres alle How 'Mycrocosme' they hym calle..'the lasse world'?
b
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1718 : Wherfore a-monge creaturis these ij alone Be callid Micocrosmos, man & oure stone.
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)2510 : Noble auctours..Callide oure stone Micocrosmos..For his composicion is..Like to this worlde.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1484 7Planets (Trin-C R.14.52)693/250 : Biholde so as the sonne is sette in the firmament in the myddis of planetis, and in microcosme -- that is to say, in the lasse world (the whiche is man) -- holdith the herte in the mydde place.
Note: Additional quot., sense (a).