Definition

1. Verb:
   • To create a photographic copy of printed or graphic material at a greatly reduced size, typically for storage or reproduction purposes. This process often involves producing a microform, such as microfilm or microfiche.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The library decided to microcopy its collection of rare newspapers to preserve the content.
  • To save space, the company will microcopy all its archived engineering drawings.

Advanced Usage

• As a gerund/noun (from the verb action): The term can refer to the resulting copy itself.
  • The microcopy of the 19th-century manuscript is stored on microfiche.
• In archival contexts: The verb is often used in professional settings related to preservation, libraries, and records management.
  • The project's goal is to microcopy the entire historical document series before the paper deteriorates further.

Variants and Related Words

• Microcopying (n/gerund): The process or technique of making microcopies.
  • Microcopying was a common preservation method before the digital era.
• Microform (n): The general term for any medium containing microreproductions, such as microfilm or microfiche, which are the typical results of microcopying.
• Photocopy (v/n): To make a photographic copy, usually at the same size. is a specific type of photocopying that results in a reduced-size copy.

Synonyms

• Microfilm (as a verb): To photograph on microfilm.
• Reduce photographically: A descriptive phrase for the action.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary and most common use of "microcopy" is as a verb with the specific meaning defined above.
• In very specialized contexts, the resulting small copy itself might be called "a microcopy," but this is less common than using the general term "microform." The verb form is dominant.

Verb

1. photocopy printed or other graphic matter so that it is reduced in size