Defn: A native or inhabitant of Thebes; also, a wise man.
I'll talk a word with this same learned Theban. Shak.
THECA
The"ca, n.; pl. Thecæ. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. 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. (Zoöl.) (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.
THECAL
The"cal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a theca; as, a thecal abscess.
THECAPHORE The"ca*phore, n. Etym: [Theca + Gr. thécaphore.] (Bot.) (a) A surface or organ bearing a theca, or covered with thecæ. (b) See Basigynium.
THECASPOROUS
The*cas"po*rous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the spores in thecæ, or cases.
THECATA
The*ca"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)