'microscopic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'mikroskopos,' where 'mikros' meant 'small' and 'skopein' meant 'to look or see.'

'mikroskopos' transformed into the French word 'microscopique,' and eventually became the modern English word 'microscopic' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to look at small things,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'extremely small or detailed.'