olig-, oligo-

Characterizing flora having very few spines on stems or leaves: Outside in the garden, Mary discovered an oligacanthous plant with sharp-pointed tips on its foliage growing close to her plot of vegetables

1. In botany, having fewer than twenty or having very paltry numbers of stamens.
2. Literally: "few men" or "few males".

Having a very limited number of flowers.

A member of a small number of those who are governing a country.

Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a small governmental organization.

Relating to or based on the control of a government controlled by a small group.

A form of government in which the power is confined to a small group of people or families; also, the body of persons composing such a government.

Having few carpels or fruit.

A deficiency in the amount of blood in the body or any organ or tissue.

Pertaining to or characterized by oligemia.

An outmoded term for mental retardation.

Deficiency of sweating or insufficient perspiration in certain conditions.

A state of decreased water content.

A reference to an organism that grows in conditions of low oxygen concentration: Oligoaerobic bacteria are those that cannot develop and thrive in high oxygen environments, but in those with a meagre amount of oxygen.

The presence of a less than normal amount of amniotic fluid; the fluid bathing and surrounding the fetus and serving as a shock absorber while it is developing.

It flows out in the "breaking of the water" just before a baby is born.