Definition

A protective case that holds the eggs of some insects and mollusks, often with a hard outer shell.

Example

The cockroach laid its eggs in an ootheca, ensuring they were safe from predators.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a ootheca before?

No, what is that exactly?

It's the egg case of certain insects, like cockroaches.

That sounds kind of interesting, but also a bit creepy!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ootheca is derived from the Greek "oion" (meaning egg) and "theke" (meaning case or receptacle). The term refers to a case or pouch that contains eggs, particularly in the context of certain insects and crustaceans.

Memory Tip

Think of 'oion' for egg and 'theke' for case — an ootheca is essentially a case that holds eggs.

Visually Confused Words