lorica

[ luh-rahy-kuh, law-, loh- ]

noun

, plural lo·ri·cae [l, uh, -, rahy, -see, -kee, law-, loh-].

1. Zoology. a hard protective case or sheath, as the protective coverings secreted by certain protists.
2. a cuirass or corselet, originally of leather.

lorica

/ ˈlɒrɪˌkeɪt; lɒˈraɪkə /

noun

1. the hard outer covering of rotifers, ciliate protozoans, and similar organisms
2. an ancient Roman cuirass of leather or metal

Derived Forms

• loricate, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lorica¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lorica¹

C18: from New Latin, from Latin: leather cuirass; related to lōrum thong

Example Sentences

Neque is telorum ictu perforari poterat, durissima squamarum lorica omnia tela facile repellente.

From Project Gutenberg

Induitur lorica incomparabili, quæ maculis duplicibus intexta, nullius lanceæ ictibus transforabilis haberetur.

From Project Gutenberg

The body is often provided with not-living external formations “stalk” and “theca” (or “lorica”).

From Project Gutenberg

Medium-sized ciliates, inclosed in a chitinous lorica with embedded sand crystals.

From Project Gutenberg

The animal is attached, as in the closely allied genus Tintinnus, by a peduncle to the bottom of the lorica.

From Project Gutenberg