| porifera | (n) coextensive with the subkingdom Parazoa: sponges, Syn. phylum Porifera |
| sponge | (n) primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies, Syn. poriferan, parazoan |
| Porifera | ‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. L. porus pore + ferre to bear. ] (Zool.) A grand division of the Invertebrata, including the sponges; -- called also |
| Poriferan | n. (Zool.) One of the Polifera. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Poriferata | ‖n. pl. [ NL. ] The Polifera. [ 1913 Webster ] |