lorica

American  

[luh-rahy-kuh, law-, loh-] / ləˈraɪ kə, lɔ-, loʊ- /

noun

plural

loricae

1. Zoology. a hard protective case or sheath, as the protective coverings secreted by certain protists.

2. a cuirass or corselet, originally of leather.

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lorica British  

/ ˈlɒrɪˌkeɪt, lɒˈraɪkə /

noun

1. the hard outer covering of rotifers, ciliate protozoans, and similar organisms

2. an ancient Roman cuirass of leather or metal

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Other Word Forms

• loricate adjective

Etymology

Origin of lorica

1700–10; lorica ( def. 1 ) < New Latin, special use of Latin lōrīca corselet (originally of leather), akin to lōrum thong; lorica ( def. 2 ) < Latin

Example Sentences

When they contract they draw back to the bottom of the lorica; when expanded they usually stretch out of the mouth opening.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)

The lorica is swollen posteriorly, narrowest at the oral margin, bent on its axis and is supported on a short stalk.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)

Whether or not this species is to be regarded as having a lorica or not, must depend upon the precise meaning attached to that word.

From Marvels of Pond-life A Year's Microscopic Recreations by Slack, Henry J.

Hymnus decantatus tibi jam viventi, Erit lorica protectionis populis; In die judicii te comitabuntur Hiberni ad supremum judicem.

From A Hymn on the Life, Virtues and Miracles of St. Patrick Composed by his Disciple, Saint Fiech, Bishop of Sletty by Fiech, Saint

Sometimes the mouth becomes twisted and the lorica is therefore bilateral.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)