Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Lorica \Lo*ri"ca\, n.; pl. {Loric[ae]}. [L., lit., a corselet of
   thongs, fr. lorum thong.]
   1. (Anc. Armor) A cuirass, originally of leather, afterward
      of plates of metal or horn sewed on linen or the like.

   2. (Chem.) Lute for protecting vessels from the fire.

   3. (Zo["o]l.) The protective case or shell of an infusorian
      or rotifer.

Source : WordNet®

lorica
     n : a hard protective sheath as secreted by certain protoctists
         e.g.
     [also: {loricae} (pl)]