Foraminifera \Fo*ram`i*nif"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. foramen, -aminis, a foramen + ferre to bear.]

(Zo["o]l.) An extensive order of rhizopods which generally have a chambered calcareous shell formed by several united zooids. Many of them have perforated walls, whence the name. Some species are covered with sand. See Rhizophoda.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)