2 definitions
for theca
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Theca \The"ca\, n.; pl. Thecae. [L., fr. Gr. ? a case to put
anything in. See Tick a cover.]
1. A sheath; a case; as, the theca, or cell, of an anther;
the theca, or spore case, of a fungus; the theca of the
spinal cord.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.)
(a) The chitinous cup which protects the hydranths of
certain hydroids.
(b) The more or less cuplike calicle of a coral.
(c) The wall forming a calicle of a coral.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 :
theca
n 1: a case or sheath especially a pollen sac or moss capsule
[syn: sac]
2: outer sheath of the pupa of certain insects
[also: thecae (pl)]
