madreporite

[ mad-ruh-pawr-ahyt, -pohr-, muh-drep-uh-rahyt ]

noun

1. a sievelike plate in certain echinoderms, through which water passes into the vascular system.

Word History and Origins

Origin of madreporite¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; madrepore + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

There are five prominent mouth-shields and a separate madreporite on the ventral surface.

From Project Gutenberg

Note on the aboral surface of the disk a small striated calcareous plate, the madreporite or madreporic plate.

From Project Gutenberg