Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Of great size; large.
  • adjective Large in scope or extent; large-scale.
  • noun A single, user-defined command that is part of an application and executes a series of commands.
  • noun A shorthand representation for a number of lines of code.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective very large in scale or scope or capability.
  • noun 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.
  • noun 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.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective very large in scope or scale
  • noun photography macro lens
  • noun programming, computing A comparatively human-friendly abbreviation of complicated input to a computer program.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective very large in scale or scope or capability
  • noun a single computer instruction that results in a series of instructions in machine language

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Short for macroinstruction.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

1933, from macro-, from French, from Latin, from Ancient Greek μακρός (makros, "long").

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

1971, elliptical form of macro lens, from macro- + lens. Compare macrophotography.

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Examples

  • In general what we believe is going to happen in the future is that, what we call macro base stations or a traditional base station that's known today.

    unknown title 2012

  • "We think there are some fantastic opportunities in what we call macro-oriented strategies, where they look at volatility of markets and can go long or short...," he said.

    Consultant Cardano eyes emerging mkts as west limps | Reuters 2010

  • 'While it is very important to supervise individual financial institutions, it is also important to have what we call the macro-prudence policy, under which we look at the financial markets as a whole and know where and what kind of risks are present.

    Forbes.com: News 2009

  • At their best, HR, Legal, MBAs, etc. manage to create micro-successes, and cause companies to bias and measure micro-outcomes on the assumption that they are additive or multiplicative, and will result in macro success.

    Innovation 2010

  • At their best, HR, Legal, MBAs, etc. manage to create micro-successes, and cause companies to bias and measure micro-outcomes on the assumption that they are additive or multiplicative, and will result in macro success.

    gauntlet of girth 2009

  • This little DIY project will at least let you dabble in macro photography before you decide to plop down real money for a true macro solution.

    Make A DIY Macro Lens From Old Binoculars | Lifehacker Australia 2009

  • This is often assumed in macro models for simplicity, but it would be an odd assumption for a Heritage guy, since one of their obsessions is the idea that taxes discourage labor supply.

    Matthew Yglesias » Right-Wing Establishment Embraces Discredited 1930s-Vintage Economic Doctrines 2009

  • If you don't believe me, take a class in macro economics ... right after you graduate 1st grade.

    Obama & Biden to jump into '09 races 2009

  • At their best, HR, Legal, MBAs, etc. manage to create micro-successes, and cause companies to bias and measure micro-outcomes on the assumption that they are additive or multiplicative, and will result in macro success.

    gauntlet of girth 2009

  • At their best, HR, Legal, MBAs, etc. manage to create micro-successes, and cause companies to bias and measure micro-outcomes on the assumption that they are additive or multiplicative, and will result in macro success.

    11 posts from May 2009 2009

Comments

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  • (internet slang) Also "image macro," picture with funny text on it-- exemplified by LOLcats (or, anything with a picture + Impact font)

    March 11, 2010