microcosm
World in miniature
A microcosm is a small system or community that reflects the features of a larger one.
The word literally means "little world," and that origin captures the idea: a contained version of something vast.
The office was a microcosm of corporate America—complete with politics, cliques, and ambition.
A classroom can be a microcosm of society; a small town can be a microcosm of the nation.
The opposite is macrocosm.
Enclosed miniature scene display
- terrariumGlass-walled growing enclosure
- scale modelProportionally reduced reproduction
- small-scaleLimited in size or scope
- pocket-sizedSmall enough to carry
miniaturize · tiny · diminutive · compact · enclosed · self-contained · bottle garden · snow globe
Glass-walled growing enclosure
- aquariumTank for keeping fish
- biosphereAll life on Earth
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- closed systemExchange-free bounded region
self-sustaining · food web · ecology · symbiosis · biodiversity · tide pool · pond · coral reef
Perfect representative of type
- exemplarTypical perfect instance
- embodimentConcrete manifestation of idea
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
parallel · sample · cross-section · snapshot · slice · encapsulation · distillation · essence
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- representationDepiction or likeness
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
- reflectionReturned light or thought
parallel · analogy · Blake · fractal · holographic · emblematic · figurative · symbolic
Collective of connected people
- subcultureGroup with alternative norms
- enclaveSurrounded distinct territory
- bubbleAir-filled film sphere
- workplaceEmployment location
classroom · village · commune · institution · social dynamics · hierarchy · norms · interactions
diorama
Enclosed miniature scene display
- terrariumGlass-walled growing enclosure
- scale modelProportionally reduced reproduction
- small-scaleLimited in size or scope
pocket-sized · miniaturize · tiny · diminutive · compact · enclosed · self-contained · bottle garden · snow globe · ant farm
terrarium
Glass-walled growing enclosure
closed system · self-sustaining · food web · ecology · symbiosis · biodiversity · tide pool · pond · coral reef · rainforest floor
epitome
Perfect representative of type
- exemplarTypical perfect instance
- embodimentConcrete manifestation of idea
- reflectionReturned light or thought
mirror · parallel · sample · cross-section · snapshot · slice · encapsulation · distillation · essence · quintessence
allegory
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- representationDepiction or likeness
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
reflection · parallel · analogy · Blake · fractal · holographic · emblematic · figurative · symbolic · hermetic
community
Collective of connected people
- subcultureGroup with alternative norms
- enclaveSurrounded distinct territory
- bubbleAir-filled film sphere
workplace · classroom · village · commune · institution · social dynamics · hierarchy · norms · interactions · relationships
- worldsearth, planet, realm, kingdom, dimension
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
- Micromicrobe, microbes, microchip, microchips, microscope
- groupsteam, teams, group, club, clubs
- miniaturesminiatures, figurines, figurine, miniature sculptures, scale models
- small townssmall town, hamlet, town, village, settlement