/leuh ruy"keuh, law-, loh-/ , n. , pl. loricae /-see, -kee/ .
1. Zool. a hard protective case or sheath, as the protective coverings secreted by certain protists.
2. a cuirass or corselet, originally of leather.
[ 1700-10; (def. 1) lorica corselet (orig. of leather), akin to lorum thong; (def. 2) ]