olig-, oligo-

A form of government where power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society as distinguished by royalty, wealth, family, military, or influence: Primarily in the United States, an oligocracy is a small clique of private citizens who exert a strong influence on a government.

The cultivation of a few crops or species.

Containing very few cysts which are abnormal, closed sac-like structures within a tissue that contain a liquid, gaseous, or semisolid substance.

1. Deficiency in the total number of red blood cells present in the body.
2. Deficiency of the cellular elements of the blood.

Deficiency in the total number of red blood cells present in the body.

A reference to, or characteristic of, deficiency in the total number of red blood cells present in the body.

A deficiency of tears around the eyes.

A deficiency of digits (fingers or toes) on the hands or feet.

The presence of fewer than five digits on a hand or foot.

The presence of fewer than five digits on one or more limbs.

Tissue consisting of glial cells with sheet-like processes that form the myelin sheath of nerve fibers; also, oligodendroglia.

1. Neuroglia consisting of cells similar to but smaller than astrocytes, found in the central nervous system and associated with the formation of myelin.
2. A class of neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system.
3. Etymology: from Greek, literally meaning, "few tree cells".

The important function of these cells is the formation of insulating myelin sheaths of axons in the central nervous system.

A lack of thirst and a reduction of fluid consumption.

Lacking in the normal number of teeth, or having fewer than the normal complement of teeth.

1. Caused by small or minute forces.
2. Functioning in minute quantities.
3. Effective in minute quantities; used especially, of the toxic effect of heavy metal ions on micro-organisms.
4. Toxic in very small quantities.