porifera Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun coextensive with the subkingdom Parazoa: sponges
    phylum Porifera.

WordNet

Po*rif"e*ra noun plural
Etymology
NL., fr. L. porus pore + ferre to bear.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A grand division of the Invertebrata, including the sponges; -- called also Spongiæ, Spongida, and Spongiozoa. The principal divisions are Calcispongiæ, Keratosa or Fibrospongiæ, and Silicea.

Webster 1913