1 ootheca | Definition of ootheca
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ootheca

noun
oo·​the·​ca | \ ˌō-ə-ˈthē-kə How to pronounce ootheca (audio) \
plural oothecae\ ˌō-​ə-​ˈthē-​(ˌ)kē How to pronounce oothecae (audio) , -​(ˌ)sē \

Definition of ootheca

: a firm-walled and distinctive egg case (as of a cockroach)
Other Words from ootheca Example Sentences Learn More about ootheca

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Other Words from ootheca

oothecal \ ˌō-​ə-​ˈthē-​kəl How to pronounce oothecal (audio) \ adjective

Examples of ootheca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Behind the female’s bottomless appetite is the extraordinary size of her egg case, or ootheca, a frothy proteinous mass studded with up to 400 eggs that can amount to half her body weight. — Natalie Angier, New York Times, "Birds Beware: The Praying Mantis Wants Your Brain," 22 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ootheca.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ootheca

circa 1856, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ootheca

New Latin

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