a. [properly f. L. calcar spur + -(I)FEROUS; cf. F. calcarifère; the misuse (as if f. calc-) in 2 was app. due to thoughtless analysis of calc-arious as calcar-eous.]
1. ‘Bearing spurs’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
2. catachr. for CALCIFEROUS.
1853. Th. Ross, trans. Humboldt’s Trav., III. xxxii. 387. M. Boussingault … calls the rock of the Morros a ‘problematic calcariferous gneiss.’
1881. Syd. Soc. Lex., Calcariferous, containing, or mingled with, lime.
