madrepore

1 of 3

noun (1)

mad·​re·​pore ˈma-drə-ˌpȯr 

: any of various stony reef-building corals (order Madreporaria) of tropical seas that assume a variety of branching, encrusting, or massive forms

madreporian

ˌma-drə-ˈpȯr-ē-ən 

adjective or noun

madreporic

ˌma-drə-ˈpȯr-ik 

adjective

madreporian

2 of 3

adjective

mad·​re·​po·​ri·​an ¦madrə¦pōrēən 

: madreporic

madreporian

3 of 3

noun (2)

"

plural -s

: madrepore

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French madrépore, from Italian madrepora, from madre mother (from Latin mater) + poro pore (from Latin porus) — more at mother

Adjective

madrepore + -ian

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1738, in the meaning defined above