adj. Of the sense of smell (olfactory nerves). [latin oleo smell, facio make]

n. (pl. -ies) 1 government, or state governed, by a small group of people.

- members of such a government. oligarchic adj. Oligarchical adj.

—adj. Of the third geological epoch of the tertiary period. —n. This epoch. [greek oligos little, kainos new]

n. (pl. -men) official appointed to investigate complaints against public authorities. [swedish, = legal representative]

n. Fierce attack. [dutch: related to *on, slag blow]

adj. Having no predetermined limit.

surgery n. Surgery with the heart exposed and the blood made to bypass it.

n.pl. Production and performance of operas.

system n. Basic software that enables the running of a computer program.

- theatre n. Room for surgical operations.

n. - action, scope, or method of working or operating.

- active process.

- piece of work, esp. One in a series (begin operations).

- act of surgery on a patient.

- military manoeuvre.

- financial transaction.

- state of functioning (in operation).

- subjection of a number etc. To a process affecting its value or form, e.g. Multiplication. [latin: related to *operate]