English Explanatory Dictionary

theca

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any of several external cases or sheaths.
  2. The pollen-producing organ usually found in pairs and forming an anther.
  3. The theca folliculi: the twin layers of cells surrounding the basal lamina of an ovarian follicle.
  4. The thecal sac: the portion of the dura mater that surrounds the spinal cord and the cauda equina.
  5. The membrane complex enveloping the cells of certain plankton including diatoms and dinoflagellates.
  6. The calcareous wall of a corallite, the exoskeleton of a coral polyp.
  7. A sporangium: a spore case.
  8. A case for the corporal cloth used in the Eucharist.

Pronunciation

/ˈθiːkə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-theca.wav

Word forms

theca thecas thecae

Etymology

From New Latin, from Latin thēca, from Ancient Greek θήκη (thḗkē, “a case, box, receptacle”), from τίθημι (títhēmi, “put, set, place”). Doublet of tay.

Related words

intrathecally thecium

Derived words

endotheca endothecium epitheca exotheca exothecium extrathecal gnathotheca gonotheca hydrotheca hypotheca intrathecal karyotheca mesotheca oötheca ootheca podotheca rhinotheca sarcotheca spermatheca spermatotheca theca cordis theca externa theca folliculi theca interna thecal thecaphore thecasporous thecate theciferous theciform thecitis thecoma
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