epitheca

noun

epi·​theca

"+

1

: an external calcareous layer investing the lower portion of the theca of many corals

2

: the outer or upper half or valve of the diatom frustule compare hypotheca

epithecal

"+

adjective

or epithecate

"+

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from epi- + -theca

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Rhymes for epitheca

• areca
• azteca
• caeca
• cheka
• decca
• theca