n.
Pronunciation: ˌ fo ̇ r- ə - ' mi-n ə -f ə r, ˌ fär-
Function: noun
Date: circa 1842
: any of an order (Foraminifera) of large chiefly marine rhizopod protozoans usually having calcareous shells that often are perforated with minute holes for protrusion of slender pseudopodia and form the bulk of chalk and nummulitic limestone
– fo · ra · mi · nif · er · al \ f ə - ˌ ra-m ə - ' ni-f( ə -)r ə l; ˌ fo ̇ r- ə -m ə - ' ni-, ˌ fär- \ adjective
foraminifer shells