microsphericadj.
/mʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈsfɛrɪk/, U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈsfɛrɪk/, /ˌmaɪkrəˈsfɛrɪk/ Zoology.
Designating or relating to the form of a dimorphic foraminiferan in which the proloculus is relatively small. Cf. megalospheric adj.
ΚΠ
1896 Philos. Trans. 1895 (Royal Soc.) B. 186 437 The microspheres in the two microspheric examples measure 15 × 12·5μ and 13 × 11 μ.
1935 W. H. Twenhofel & R. R. Shrock Invertebr. Paleontol. ii. 36 The zygote secretes a small shell around itself, the proloculum of the microspheric shell.
1961 J. Stubblefield Davies's Introd. Palaeontol. (ed. 3) x. 23 In the same species growth may begin by a very small chamber (microspheric form) or by a much larger one (megalospheric form).
1963 G. A. Kerkut Borradaile & Potts's Invertebrata (rev. ed.) ii. 80 In many species [of Polythalamia] the shells are dimorphic, the two forms..being distinguished by the size and arrangement of the first-formed chamber, which is small in one (the microspheric form) and larger in the other (megalospheric).
1994 Jrnl. Foraminiferal Res. 24 210/1 Asexual reproduction by microspheric adults is commonly cytotomous.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1896