microcircuit

[ mahy-kroh-sur-kit ]

noun

1. Electronics. integrated circuit.

microcircuit

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌsɜːkɪt /

noun

1. a miniature electronic circuit, esp one in which a number of permanently connected components are contained in one small chip of semiconducting material See integrated circuit

Derived Forms

• ˌmicroˈcircuitry, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of microcircuit¹

First recorded in 1955–60; micro- + circuit

Example Sentences

They are also used in the semiconductor industry for creating microcircuits and patterns.

From Science Daily

But again, the 3 mm resolution of a 3T fMRI can distinguish only large veins, not the small ones that could indicate activity within microcircuits.

From Science Daily

The study provides evidence that the neurotransmitters regulate a "microcircuit" in the brain, that allows the organ to differentiate important information from noise, helping a person pay attention.

From Science Daily

Now, researchers have found a previously unknown arrangement of microcircuits in the avian brain that may be analogous to the mammalian neocortex.

From Science Magazine

In particular, these findings suggest that the functional specialization of cortical areas might rely not only on differences in microcircuits and connectivity patterns, but also on the use of different cell types to process information.

From Nature

Related Words

• chip
• circuitry
• microchip
• microprocessor
• silicon chip