few as in a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `a'

• "a small but indefinite number"
• "a few weeks ago"
• "a few more wagons than usual"
• "an invalid's pleasures are few and far between"
• "few roses were still blooming"
• "few women have led troops in battle"

few as in a small elite group

• "it was designed for the discriminating few"