Word Study
thecophora
CIDE DICTIONARY
thecophora, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. a case + fe`rein to bear.].
A division of hydroids comprising those which have the hydranths in thecæ and the gonophores in capsules. The campanularians and sertularians are examples. Called also Thecata . See Illust. under Hydroidea. [1913 Webster]
For further exploring for "thecophora" in Webster Dictionary Online