po·rif·er·an (p -r f r-n)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·rifer·an adj. |
poriferan [pɔːˈrɪfərən]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any invertebrate of the phylum Porifera, which comprises the sponges
adj also poriferous
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) of, relating to, or belonging to the phylum Porifera
[from New Latin porifer bearing pores]
| poriferan (p-rfr-n) See sponge. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | poriferan - primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies invertebrate - any animal lacking a backbone or notochord; the term is not used as a scientific classification phylum Porifera, Porifera - coextensive with the subkingdom Parazoa: sponges glass sponge - a siliceous sponge (with glassy spicules) of the class Hyalospongiae |
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