ootheca

[ oh-uh-thee-kuh ]

/ ˌoʊ əˈθi kə /

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noun, plural o·o·the·cae [oh-uh-thee-see] /ˌoʊ əˈθi si/.

a case or capsule containing eggs, as that of certain gastropods and insects.

Nearby words

oosphere, oospore, oost, oostende, oot, ootheca, ootid, ooze, ooze leather, oozy, op

Origin of ootheca

From New Latin, dating back to 1850–55; see origin at oo-, theca

Also called egg case.

Related forms

o·o·the·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for ootheca

ootheca

/ (ˌəʊəˈθiːkə) /

noun plural -cae (-siː)

a capsule containing eggs that is produced by some insects and molluscs

Derived Forms

oothecal, adjective

Word Origin for ootheca

C19: New Latin, from oo- + thēkē case

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012