a. [f. as prec. + -OUS.] lit. Furnished with foramina; said of the Foraminifera or their shells. Also (less correctly) = FORAMINIFERAL b.
1835–6. R. B. Todd, The Cyclopædia of Anatomy and Physiology, I. 114/2. The sexes are generally separate, but the lowest foraminiferous cephalopods appear to approach to the pteropods in the male and female character of the genital organs.
1859. J. R. Greene, Man. Anim. Kingd. Protozoa, 15. It has … been shown that many Foraminiferous shells which commence their growth upon the spiral plan, e. g. Cristellaria, ultimately assume a straight form, so as to resemble Nodosaria.
1872. Nicholson, Palæont., 65. The Eocene formation especially is remarkable for the profusion of its Foraminiferous fauna.
1884. Science, III. 16 May, 591/1. The bottom composed of foraminiferous ooze and coarse sand.
