Illustration of foraminifer
- foraminifer shells
foraminifer
noun
for·a·min·i·fer
ˌfȯr-ə-ˈmi-nə-fər
ˌfär-
: 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
Cite this Entry
“Foraminifer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foraminifer. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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