oligo-

a combining form meaning “few,” “little,” used in the formation of compound words: oligopoly.

Also especially before a vowel, olig-.

Origin of oligo-

< Greek, combining form of olígos little, few (in plural)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for oligo-

oligo-

before a vowel olig-

combining form

indicating a few or littleoligopoly

Word Origin for oligo-

from Greek olígos little, few

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for oligo-

before vowels olig-, word-forming element meaning "few, the few," from comb. form of Greek oligos "few, scanty, small, little," in plural, "the few;" of uncertain origin.

oligo- in Medicine

oligo-

pref.

Few:oligosaccharide.