foraminifera

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. L. foramen, -aminis, a foramen + ferre to bear. ] (Zool.) 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 ]