Where does “microdifference” come from?

microdifference (English) comes from English difference, from Middle English difference, from Old French difference, from Latin differentia, from Latin differēns, from Latin differre, from Latin differo, from Latin dis- — small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble.

microdifference (English): A microscale difference

Definitions

  1. A microscale difference

Ancestry of “microdifference”, step by step

microdifference traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English difference

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdifferenceThe quality of being different; A characteristic...
2Middle EnglishdifferenceDifference; the state of being different; A...
3Old Frenchdifferencedifference
4Latindifferentiadifference; diversity; nominative neuter plural...
5Latindifferēnsspreading, scattering, dispersing, separating
6Latindifferrepresent active infinitive of differō
7LatindifferoI carry different ways, spread, scatter,...
8Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
9Latincalceusshoe
10Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
11Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

via English micro

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmicroSmall, relatively small; short form of...
2Ancient Greekμικρόςlittle, small
3Proto-Indo-Europeanmēy-soft, tender, dear
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ