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definitions

oligo-

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

Nearby words

  1. oligaemia,
  2. oligarch,
  3. oligarchic,
  4. oligarchy,
  5. oligemia,
  6. oligoamnios,
  7. oligocene,
  8. oligochaete,
  9. oligoclase,
  10. oligocystic
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. 2019
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-

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for oligo-

oligo-

pref.

Few:oligosaccharide.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.