foraminifer

[ fawr-uh-min-uh-fer, for- ]

noun

, plural for·a·min·i·fers, fo·ram·i·nif·er·a [f, uh, -ram-, uh, -, nif, -er-, uh].

1. any chiefly marine protozoan of the sarcodinian order Foraminifera, typically having a linear, spiral, or concentric shell perforated by small holes or pores through which pseudopodia extend.

foraminifer

/ fɒˌræmɪˈnɪfərəl; ˌfɒrəˈmɪnɪfə /

noun

1. See nummulite, globigerina
   any marine protozoan of the phylum Foraminifera , having a shell with numerous openings through which cytoplasmic processes protrude Often shortened toforam See also globigerina nummulite

Derived Forms

• foraminiferal, adjective

Other Words From

• fo·rami·nifer·al fo·rami·nifer·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foraminifer¹

1835–45; < New Latin Foraminifera, equivalent to Latin forāmin-, stem of forāmen foramen + -ifera; -i-, -fer

Word History and Origins

Origin of foraminifer¹

C19: from New Latin, from foramen + -fer

Example Sentences

The Laurentian rocks have yielded only one fossil—a large foraminifer named Eozoon Canadense.

From Project Gutenberg

One species at least of these creatures was a true Foraminifer, allied, though somewhat distantly, to Eozoon.

From Project Gutenberg

The foraminifer multiplies by fission, or by a process of budding.

From Project Gutenberg