Where does “olig-” come from?

olig- (English) comes from Ancient Greek ὀλίγος, from New Latin chaeta, from Ancient Greek χαίτη, from Proto-Indo-European gʰeh₂it- — curly hair.

olig- (English): Alternative form of oligo-; few

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of oligo-; few

Ancestry of “olig-”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient GreekὀλίγοςOf small amount: few, little; Of small size:...
2New Latinchaeta
3Ancient Greekχαίτηloose, flowing hair; used especially of back...
4Proto-Indo-Europeangʰeh₂it-curly hair

Words derived from “olig-

Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʰeh₂it-Every word from Ancient Greek χαίτηEvery word from New Latin chaeta