micro Ent.
(ˈmaɪkrəʊ)
[Subst. use of micro-.]
1. Abbrev. of microlepidoptera n. pl., used to refer to a moth belonging to any of several families whose members are mostly smaller than those of interest to collectors, the Macrolepidoptera.
| 1869 Rep. Comm. Agric. 1868 (U.S. Dept. Agric.) 313 The presence of ‘micros’ is indicated by discolored lines... It may be ascertained whether the ‘micro’ is at home by holding the leaf up to the light. 1890 in Century Dict. 1907 R. South Moths Brit. Isles 1st Ser. 6 Possibly, when this new order of things is more generally understood the so-called ‘Micros’ will receive their proper share of attention. 1972 L. E. Chadwick tr. Linsenmaier's Insects of World 172/2 As for the ‘micros’, they are neither a uniform grouping nor properly to be separated from the rest of the moths. |
2. Fashion. Short for micro-skirt (micro- 1 c).
| 1968 N.Y. Times 22 Jan. 36 Hemlines go to all lengths. In extremes, there are micros, which barely cover the buttocks; minis, maxis and the nineteen-thirties length. 1969 D. Clark Death after Evensong ii. 40 She's some bird... Legs just a bit skinny for a micro, but still a good shape. |
3. Computing. a. Abbrev. of microcomputer.
| 1971 Proc. Digital Equipment Computer Users Soc. Fall 99 (heading) Seven ‘micros’ equal one mini. 1982 Observer 9 May 17/2 Digital, which claims world market leadership in the mini computer sector, will launch a highly competitive range of desk top micros aimed at business users. 1983 Listener 10 Feb. 33/2 The primary school kids have the opportunity of working with micros in their normal classroom activities. 1985 Which Computer? Apr. 52 (Advt.), Perfect Link II is a datacommunications program that links your micro to information services and other computers. |
b. Abbrev. of microprocessor s.v. micro- 1.
| 1978 Times 9 Nov. 22/6 It is not certain that the use of micros will cause unemployment... Britain cannot control the pace of micro usage. 1980 Univ. Coll. London Bull. Dec. 9/2 These micros are among the most widely used chips. 1982 Nature 30 Sept. 408/3 Another function of the course is to help researchers interface their own micros to computerized instruments. |
4. Abbrev. of ‘microwave (oven)’ (microwave 2, 3). Freq. attrib. orig. and chiefly U.S.
| 1973 Weight Watchers May 19/1 Sanyo's ‘mini micro’ (Model EM 8200) is a countertop oven. 1978 Good Housekeeping (U.S.) Dec. 286/3 Typical comments:..‘My micro is the easiest of all my appliances to clean, and I have many.’ 1979 Cuisine Sept. 91/1 Two more micro tips: to get more juice from a lemon or orange, microwave the fruit for 30 seconds before squeezing it. 1980 Christian Science Monitor 21 Feb. 14 (heading) Micro dishes good for conventional cooking too. Ibid. (caption) New pots useable for micro. 1984 Sears Catal. 1985 Spring/Summer 852/1 Our micro/convection ovens..let you choose from microwave.., convection.., or micro/convection. |