micron
UK: ˈmaɪkrɒn | US: ˈmaɪkrɑːn
n. a unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter (symbol: μm)
n. (informal) something extremely small or microscopic
micron = micr<small> + on<noun suffix>
- micr<small>: From Greek mikros (μικρός), meaning "small." This root appears in words like microscope and microbe.
- on<noun suffix>: A suffix used in scientific terms to denote units or particles (e.g., proton, electron).
Etymology Origin:
The word micron was coined in the 19th century by combining the Greek root micr- (small) with the suffix -on, following the pattern of scientific terminology. It reflects the need for precise measurement in fields like physics and engineering, where extremely small scales matter. The term’s logic is straightforward: a "small unit" for microscopic distances.
A human hair is approximately 50 microns in diameter.
The lab filters particles larger than 0.2 microns.
Under the microscope, the cells measured just a few microns across.
The new sensor can detect micron-level vibrations.
Dust mites are typically 100 to 300 microns in size.