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foraminifer

 - 2 dictionary results

for⋅a⋅min⋅i⋅fer

  [fawr-uh-min-uh-fer, for-]
Use foraminifer 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.
Cite This Source Link To foraminifer
for·a·min·i·fer   (fôr'ə-mĭn'ə-fər, fŏr'-)   
n.  Any of the chiefly marine protozoans of the order Foraminifera, characteristically having a calcareous shell with perforations through which numerous pseudopods protrude.

[From New Latin Forāminifera, order name : Latin forāmen, forāmin-, an opening + Latin -fer, -fer.]
fo·ram'i·nif'er·ous (fə-rām'ə-nĭf'ər-əs), fo·ram'i·nif'er·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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