- a combining form meaning “few,” “little,” used in the formation of compound words: oligopoly.
combining form
- indicating a few or littleoligopoly
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. pref.
- Few:oligosaccharide.