olig-, oligo-

The inhibiting, or killing, of micro-organisms by the use of very small amounts of a chemical substance.

Slight or scant secretion of milk.

Controlled by a few genes responsible for major heritable changes.

A condition of having borne few children.

Birth control by means of contraceptives.

1. The mating of a single male with a few females.
2. The presence of a few queens within a single colony of social insects.

A reference to planktonic organisms living in sea water of less than five parts per thousand salinity: Grace saw a documentary on TV about oligohalabous living things found in ocean water with moderate brininess.

1. Referring to brackish water that has a salinity between 0.5 and 3.0 parts per thousand, or sea water having a salinity between 17 and 30 parts per thousand: Jane is interested in knowing more about oligohaline water, which has a low salinity level in the range of 0 - 0.5%.
2. A reference to organisms that are tolerant of only a moderate range of salinities: Oligohaline creatures are those that cannot survive in a high salinity level in oceans, but only in brackish water with a saltiness of 0.5 to 3.0 parts per thousand.

Scanty or very little perspiration.

An abnormally small amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus in the uterus during pregnancy: Oligohydramnios can occur if the placenta is not functioning properly, if there is something wrong with the fetal urinary tract, or if a pregnancy goes beyond 41 weeks' gestation.

If oligohydramnios takes place later in pregnancy, the pressure of the uterus on the fetus may cause deformity; such as, clubfoot when a foot has been twisted to one side or when an ankle, a heel, or toes are twisted into a shape that is not normal.

Excretion of small quantities of urine, as seen in dehydration.

Infrequent episodes of menstrual bleeding characterized by a heavy flow.

1. Relating to deficient sleep.
2. Concerning partial sleep.