microcosm
UK: /ˈmaɪkrəʊkɒzəm/ | US: /ˈmaɪkroʊkɑːzəm/
n. a small-scale representation of something larger, especially the universe or human society
n. (philosophy) a miniature model of the world or cosmos
The word microcosm originates from the Greek mikros kosmos ("small world"), reflecting the ancient belief that humans (or smaller systems) mirror the structure of the universe. Medieval scholars adopted this concept to describe the idea that the human body and society were miniature reflections of the cosmos. Over time, it evolved into a broader metaphor for any small-scale model of a larger system.
The village was a microcosm of the country’s diverse culture.
In biology, a single cell can be seen as a microcosm of life.
The experiment created a microcosm of urban pollution in the lab.
His novel portrays the family as a microcosm of societal conflicts.
The terrarium is a self-sustaining microcosm of a rainforest ecosystem.