foraminifer

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

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noun, plural for·a·min·i·fers, fo·ram·i·nif·er·a

[fuh-ram-uh-nif-er-uh] /fəˌræm əˈnɪf ər ə/.

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.

Origin of foraminifer

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

Also called fo·ram·i·nif·er·an

[fuh-ram-uh-nif-er-uh n] /fəˌræm əˈnɪf ər ən/, foram.

Related formsfo·ram·i·nif·er·al, fo·ram·i·nif·er·ous, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for foraminifera

Historical Examples

One represents the line of man's evolution, the other that of the foraminifera.
The Idea of God in Early Religions
F. B. Jevons
The quantity of Radiolaria contained varies, and is more conspicuous the fewer the calcareous shells of Foraminifera present.
Report on the Radiolaria Collected by H.M.S. Challenger During the Years 1873-1876, First Part: Porulosa (Spumellaria and Acantharia)
Ernst Haeckel
We have stated that the Foraminifera are of microscopic dimensions.
The Ocean World:
Louis Figuier
The history of the Foraminifera is a striking example of this great truth.
The Ocean World:
Louis Figuier
Our exact knowledge of the Foraminifera is of very recent date.
The Ocean World:
Louis Figuier

British Dictionary definitions for foraminifera

foraminifer

noun

any marine protozoan of the phylum Foraminifera, having a shell with numerous openings through which cytoplasmic processes protrudeOften shortened to: foram See also globigerina, nummulite

Derived Formsforaminiferal (fɒˌræmɪˈnɪfərəl) or foraminiferous, adjective

Word Origin

C19: from New Latin, from foramen + -fer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for foraminifera

Foraminifera

1835, Modern Latin, neuter plural of foraminifer "bearing holes," from Latin foramen "hole, opening, orifice" (see foramen) + -fer "bearing," from ferre "to bear" (see infer). So called because the shells usually are perforated by pores. Related: Foraminiferous.

foraminifer

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}foraminifer

Examples from the Web for foraminifera

Historical Examples

One represents the line of man's evolution, the other that of the foraminifera.

The quantity of Radiolaria contained varies, and is more conspicuous the fewer the calcareous shells of Foraminifera present.

We have stated that the Foraminifera are of microscopic dimensions.

The history of the Foraminifera is a striking example of this great truth.

Our exact knowledge of the Foraminifera is of very recent date.

foraminifer

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for foraminifera

Foraminifera

Origin of foraminifer