Po*rif"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. porus pore + ferre to bear.] Zool.
A grand division of the Invertebrata, including the sponges; -- called also Spongiae, Spongida, and Spongiozoa. The principal divisions are Calcispongiae, Keratosa or Fibrospongiae, and Silicea.
© Webster 1913.