Theca
/ˈθiːkə/noun
A case, sheath, or enclosing sac; in biology, a covering layer or sac-like structure.
Did you know?The same Greek root behind Theca also gave English the name of the ancient word for a box or chest, and it survives in biology where tissues are described as protective enclosures.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
GRK
θήκη
“a case, box, sheath, or receptacle”
Late Greek
GRK
θήκη
“a container or enclosing covering”
Medieval Latin
LAT
theca
“a case, sheath, or cover”
16th Century
ENG
theca
“a sheath or case, especially in learned and scientific usage”
Modern English
ENG
theca
“a case, sheath, or enclosing structure, especially in anatomy and biology”