Foraminifera (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. foramen, -aminis, a foramen + ferre to bear.] (Zoöl.) 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.
[1913 Webster]