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Porifera

[paw-rif-er-uh, poh-, puh-]
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noun
  1. an animal phylum comprising the sponges.

Origin of Porifera

1835–45; < New Latin equivalent to Late Latin porus pore2 + -i- -i- + -fera, neuter plural of -ferus -ferous
Related formspo·rif·er·an, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for porifera

Historical Examples

  • The sponges have received the name of Porifera, on account of the structure above described.

    Stories of the Universe: Animal Life

    B. Lindsay

  • The later stages in the development of the larv of the Porifera are not similar to anything we know of in other groups.

  • It appears that in the present unsatisfactory state of our knowledge the larv of the Porifera may be divided into two groups: viz.

Word Origin and History for porifera

Porifera

n.

1843, Modern Latin, literally "bearing pores," neuter plural of porifer, from Latin porus "pore, opening" (see pore (n.)) + -fer "bearing" (see infer). Related: Poriferal; poriferous.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper