Theca
Pronunciation : The"ca
Part of Speech : n.;
Etymology : [L., fr. Gr. Tick a cover.]
Definition : 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.
2. (Zo?l.) (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.
pl. Thec
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913