noun
oligomer
A technical term in chemistry for a molecule consisting of a few repeating units, intermediate between a monomer and a polymer.
このオリゴマーは、特定の条件下で重合して高分子になる。
This oligomer polymerizes into a high polymer under specific conditions.
A monomer is a single molecular unit, while an oligomer consists of a few such units linked together.
A polymer is a large molecule made of many repeating units, whereas an oligomer has only a few.
Loanword from English 'oligomer', itself from Greek 'oligos' (few) + 'meros' (part).