Large in scale, scope, or capability; relating to large-scale or overall structures and processes.
From Greek 'makros' meaning 'long' or 'large.' Entered English through scientific terminology in the 19th century, initially used in biology and later expanded to economics, photography, and computing.
While we think of macro as meaning 'big,' the Greek root actually meant 'long' - the sense of large size came from the idea of extended length. In computing, a macro is ironically often a small piece of code that automates larger processes, showing how the word has evolved to mean 'operating at a higher level' rather than simply 'big.'
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