‖ Porifera, n. pl. Zool.
(pɒˈrɪfərə)
[mod.L., neut. pl. of porifer, f. L. porus (a. Gr. πόρος) pore n.1 + -fer bearing.]
The sponges, reckoned as a class or main division of Cœlenterata, characterized by having the body-wall perforated by numerous inhalant pores. Hence porifer (ˈpɔərɪfə(r)), a member of the Porifera, a sponge; poˈriferal a. = next; poˈriferan, a. belonging or relating to the Porifera; n. = porifer.
| 1843 Carpenter Anim. Phys. ii. 113 Satisfactory reasons for placing the class of Porifera, or the Sponge tribe, in the animal kingdom. 1864 Webster, Poriferan, an animal of the group comprising the sponges. 1867 J. Hogg Microsc. ii. ii. 385 The term Porifera..was applied by Professor Grant to designate the remarkable class of organized beings known as sponges. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. iii. 113 The fundamental type of Poriferal organisation is to be sought among the Calcispongiæ. Ibid. xii. 678 Comparable to Physemarian or Poriferan embryos. 1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life 716 The irregular and continuous growth of a Poriferan. 1890 Cent. Dict., Poriferan theory, that theory which considers the tracheæ or tubes of some animals as having a common origin with the incurrent tubes of the Porifera or sponges. |