poriferan

[ paw-rif-er-uh n, poh-, puh- ]
/ pɔˈrɪf ər ən, poʊ-, pə- /

noun

any animal of the phylum Porifera, comprising the sponges.

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the Porifera.

Origin of poriferan

First recorded in 1860–65; Porifer(a) + -an

Words nearby poriferan

porencephaly, porgy, porgy and bess, pori, porifera, poriferan, poriferous, poriform, porina, porion, porirua

Definition for poriferans (2 of 2)

Porifera
[ paw-rif-er-uh, poh-, puh- ]
/ pɔˈrɪf ər ə, poʊ-, pə- /

noun

an animal phylum comprising the sponges.

Origin of Porifera

1835–45; < New Latin equivalent to Late Latin porus pore2 + -i- -i- + -fera, neuter plural of -ferus -ferous

OTHER WORDS FROM Porifera

po·rif·er·an, adjective, noun

British Dictionary definitions for poriferans

poriferan
/ (pɔːˈrɪfərən) /

noun

any invertebrate of the phylum Porifera, which comprises the sponges

adjective Also: poriferous

of, relating to, or belonging to the phylum Porifera

Word Origin for poriferan

C19: from New Latin porifer bearing pores

Scientific definitions for poriferans

poriferan
[ pə-rĭf′ər-ən ]

See sponge.