Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
foraminifer [fawr-uh-min-uh-fer, for-] ExamplesWord Origin 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 Examples from the Web for foraminifer Historical Examples of foraminifer
The foraminifer multiplies by fission, or by a process of budding.
William S. Furneaux
British Dictionary definitions for foraminifer 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, adjectiveWord Origin for foraminifer C19: from New Latin, from foramen + -fer