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Foraminifera

 - 2 dictionary results

for⋅a⋅min⋅i⋅fer

  [fawr-uh-min-uh-fer, for-]
Use Foraminifera in a Sentence
–noun, plural for⋅a⋅min⋅i⋅fers, fo⋅ram⋅i⋅nif⋅er⋅a  [fuh-ram-uh-nif-er-uh] .
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 fo⋅ram⋅i⋅nif⋅er⋅an  [fuh-ram-uh-nif-er-uhn] , foram.

Origin:
1835–45; < NL Foraminifera, equiv. to L forāmin-, s. of forāmen foramen + -ifera; see -i-, -fer

Related forms:
fo⋅ram⋅i⋅nif⋅er⋅al, fo⋅ram⋅i⋅nif⋅er⋅ous, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

Foraminifera 
1835, Mod.L., neut. pl. of foraminifer "bearing holes," from L. foramen "hole, opening, orifice" + -fer "bearing;" so called because the shells are usually perforated by pores.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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