madreporite
(mædrɪˈpɔəraɪt)
[f. madrepore + -ite. Cf. G. madreporit, F. madréporite.]
1. Palæont. Fossil madrepore.
| 1828–32 in Webster. 1843 W. Humble Dict. Geol., etc., Madreporite. 1. Fossil madrepore. |
2. Min. A calcareous rock of columnar structure marked by radiated prismatic concretions.
| 1802–3 tr. Pallas's Trav. (1812) I. 147 Its cells and tubes extend, as is the case with mäandrites, or madreporites, in a parallel line from the surface. 1821 Ure Dict. Chem. s.v. Limestone, It [prismatic lucullite] was at one time called madreporite. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 271/2 Madreporite.—Anthraconite; Columnar Carbonate of Lime. |
3. Zool. The madreporic tubercle in echinoderms.
| 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. ix. 554 The madreporic tubercle or madreporite. 1884 Sladen in Q. Jrnl. Microscop. Sci. XXIV. 31 The madreporite or water-pore in Asterids usually punctures a basal plate. |