cosmos
UK: ˈkɒzmɒs | US: ˈkɑːzmoʊs
n. the universe seen as a well-ordered whole; a harmonious system
n. any complex, orderly system or structure
n. (botany) a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family
cosmos = cosm<order, universe> + os<noun suffix>
- cosm (from Greek kosmos meaning "order, harmony, the universe")
- os (a noun-forming suffix in Greek, often retained in English borrowings)
Etymology Origin:
The word cosmos originates from the Greek kosmos, which originally meant "order" or "arrangement." In ancient Greek philosophy, it evolved to describe the universe as a perfectly ordered system, contrasting with chaos. This dual meaning—both "the universe" and "harmonious order"—persists in modern English, reflecting the word’s philosophical roots. The botanical use (referring to the Cosmos flower) derives from the plant’s orderly, symmetrical petal arrangement.
The telescope revealed the vast beauty of the cosmos.
Ancient philosophers pondered the structure of the cosmos.
Her garden was a tiny cosmos of color and fragrance.
The scientist studied the cosmos to understand its fundamental laws.
In his poetry, he compared human society to a miniature cosmos.