*macro*

n. [ shortened form of macroinstruction ] 1. a single computer instruction which symbolizes, and is converted at the time of program execution or by a compiler into, a series of instructions in the same computer language. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. A keystroke (or combination of keystrokes) which symbolizes and is replaced by a series of keystrokes; -- a convenient feature of some advanced programs, such as word processors or database programs, which allows a user to rapidly execute any series of operations which may be performed multiple times. Such macros may typically be defined by the program user, without rewriting or recompiling the program. [ PJC ]

a. very large in scale or scope or capability; as, macroeconomics. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

pos>pref. [ Gr. makro`s, adj. ] A combining form signifying long, large, great; as macrodiagonal, macrospore, macromolecule, macrocosm. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_; long-lived; makro`s long + bi`os life: cf. F. macrobiotique. ] 1. Long-lived. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to macrobiotics. [ PJC ]

3. Of or pertaining to macrobiotic food; serving macrobiotic food. [ PJC ]

n. A diet consisting chiefly of beans and whole grains. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. (Physiol.) The art of prolonging life. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically: A philosophy or attitude that health and long life are promoted by adhering to a diet consisting mostly of whole grains, with some vegetables, beans, fruit, and moderate amounts of seafood. However, the absence of essential nutrients such as fat makes such a diet of questionable value if strictly adhered to. [ PJC ]

a. [ Macro + Gr. kefalh` the head. ] 1. Of or pertaining to macrocephaly; having an unusually large head. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Having the cotyledons of a dicotyledonous embryo confluent, and forming a large mass compared with the rest of the body. Henslow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. THe condition of having an unusually large head; it differs from hydrocephalus because there is no increase intracranial pressure and the overgrowth is symmetrical.
Syn. -- megacephaly, megalocephaly. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

peop. n. A genus of giant crabs of Japan.
Syn. -- genus Macrocheira. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Macro- + chemistry. ] (Chem.) The science which treats of the chemical properties, actions or relations of substances in quantity; -- distinguished from micro-chemistry. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. makro`s long + &unr_; hand. ] (Zool.) A division of birds including the swifts and humming birds. So called from the length of the distal part of the wing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A genus of alligator snapping turtles.
Syn. -- genus Macroclemys. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Macro- + Gr. &unr_; the world: cf. F. macrocosme. ] The great world; that part of the universe which is exterior to man; -- contrasted with microcosm, or man. See Microcosm. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to the macrocosm. Tylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. See Macro-, and Cyst. ] (Bot.) An immensely long blackish seaweed of the Pacific (Macrocystis pyrifera), having numerous almond-shaped air vessels. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An abnormally large red blood cell, associated with pernicious anemia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. An abnormal physiological condition characterized by the presence of macrocytes in the blood. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. makroda`ktylos long-fingered; makro`s long + da`ktylos finger: cf. F. macrodactyle. ] (Zool.) One of a group of wading birds (Macrodactyli) having very long toes. [ Written also macrodactyle. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. (Zool.) Having long toes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + diagonal. ] (Crystallog.) The longer of two diagonals, as of a rhombic prism. See Crystallization. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + dome. ] (Crystallog.) A dome parallel to the longer lateral axis of an orthorhombic crystal. See Dome, n., 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Macro- + Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth. ] (Zool.) Having large teeth. -- n. A macrodont animal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + farad. ] (Elec.) See Megafarad. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Tissue consisting of large stellate neuroglial cells.
Syn. -- astroglia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n. [ NL. See Macro-, and Glossa. ] (Med.) Enlargement or hypertrophy of the tongue. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Macro- + gnathic. ] (Anthropol.) Long-jawed. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + -graph. ] A picture of an object as seen by the naked eye (that is, unmagnified); as, a macrograph of a metallic fracture. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. Examination or study with the naked eye, as distinguished from micrography. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. a camera lens designed to focus at short distances so as to achieve photographic magnifications of objects larger than with standard lenses. [ PJC ]

n. [ L. macrologia, Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; long + lo`gos discourse: cf. F. macrologie. ] Long and tedious talk without much substance; superfluity of words. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + -meter. ] An instrument for determining the size or distance of inaccessible objects by means of two reflectors on a common sextant. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Of, pertaining to, or consisting of macromolecules. [ PJC ]

n. (Chem., Biochem.) A very large molecule, especially a polymer having from hundreds to many thousands of atoms, such as DNA, RNA, protein, polysaccharide, polyethylene, polycarbonate, etc. [ PJC ]

n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; long. ] (Pron.) A short, straight, horizontal mark [ - ], placed over vowels to denote that they are to be pronounced with a long sound; as, ā, in dāme; ē, in sēam, etc.
Syn. -- macrotone. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Macro- + petal. ] (Bot.) Having long or large petals. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A large phagocyte. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ Macro- + Gr. &unr_; a leaf. ] (Bot.) Having long or large leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + pinacoid. ] (Crystallog.) One of the two planes of an orthorhombic crystal which are parallel to the vertical and longer lateral (macrodiagonal) axes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + -pod. ] (Zool.) Any one of a group of maioid crabs remarkable for the length of their legs; -- called also spider crab. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having long or large feet, or a long stem. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A macropod. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Having long legs or feet. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + prism. ] (Crystallog.) A prism of an orthorhombic crystal between the macropinacoid and the unit prism; the corresponding pyramids are called macropyramids. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; long + ptero`n feather, wing. ] (Zool.) A division of birds; the Longipennes. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Macropteres. ] (Zool.) Having long wings or fins. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. See Macropod. ] (Zool.) A genus of marsupials including the common kangaroo. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + pyramid. ] (Crystallog.) See Macroprism. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Macro- + Gr. &unr_; to view. ] Visible to the unassisted eye; -- as opposed to microscopic. -- Mac`ro*scop"ic*al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]