mikrós

Traditionally derived from Proto-Indo-European *(s)meyg-, *(s)mēyg- (“small, thin, delicate”), thereby cognate with e.g. Old English smicor (“beauteous, beautiful, elegant, fair, fine, tasteful”), whence modern English smicker; compare also German mickrig. However this etymology leaves the /k/ of the Greek forms unexplained.

Beekes argues for Pre-Greek origin on the basis of variation between initial /m/ and /sm/, as well as the variant forms μικός (mikós) and μικκός (mikkós).

Pronunciation

[ more ▼] 

• IPA^(key): /miː.krós/ → /miˈkros/ → /miˈkros/

Adjective

μῑκρός • (mīkrós) m (feminine μῑκρᾱ́, neuter μῑκρόν); first/second declension

1. little, small
   1. (amount) a little of
   2. (importance) petty, trivial, insignificant
   3. (time) short, brief
   4. (age) young