po·rif·er·an  (pə-rĭf'ər-ən)  n. Any of various members of the phylum Porifera constituting the sponges. [From New Latin Porifera, phylum name : New Latin porus, passage (from Latin porus, passage; see pore2) + Latin -fera, neuter pl. of -fer, -fer.] po·rif'er·al, po·rif'er·an adj. |