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theca

Origin: 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.

2. (Science: zoology) The chitinous cup which protects the hydranths of certain hydroids. The more or less cuplike calicle of a coral.

The wall forming a calicle of a coral. A case or sheath especially a pollen sac or moss capsule.