Micro

Encyclopedia : M : MI : MIC : Micro

This article is about the 'micro-' prefix. Micro is also a semi-obsolete term for a microcomputer, as well as being slang for micromanagement in real-time strategy games.

micro- is a SI prefix in the SI system of units denoting a factor of 10⁻⁶ (one millionth). The symbol for it is the micro sign (µ), which should be identical with Greek letter Mu. In circumstances where only the Latin alphabet is available, it is allowed to write is using the letter u. E.g. um for µm, or uV for µV. Some sources claim, that occasionally micrograms are written as mcg.

Confirmed in 1960, the prefix comes from the Greek μικρός (transliterated: mikros), meaning small.

More generally, the prefix means "very small".

Micro

See also