— foraminiferal, foraminiferous , adj.
/fawr'euh min"euh feuhr, for'-/ , n. , pl. foraminifers, foraminifera /feuh ram'euh nif"euhr euh/ .
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. Also called foraminiferan /feuh ram'euh nif"euhr euhn/ , foram .
[ 1835-45; Foraminifera, equiv. to L foramin-, s. of foramen FORAMEN + -ifera; see -I-, -FER ]