theatromania 
theatromania (the'a-tro-ma'ni-ft), w. [< Gr. 
tti-tiTpov, theater, + /jovia, madness.] A mania or 
excessive fondness for theater-going. [Rare.] 
Previously, the Church had with praiseworthy impartial- 
ity excluded not only actors of all kinds, but also those who 
were addicted to theatromania, from the benefits of the 
Christian community. A. W. Ward, Eng. Dram. Lit., 1. 11. 
theave (thev), H. [Also thace; perhaps < W. 
dafad, a sheep, ewe.] A ewe of the first year. 
[Prov. Eng.] 
thebaia (the-ba'iii), . [NL., < L. Thebse, < Gr. 
Qjjjiat, Or/fill, Theo'es : said to be so named from 
the extensive use of opium in Egypt.] Same 
as thebaine. 
Thebaic (the-ba'ik), a. [< L. Thebaicus, pertain- 
ing to Theb'es, < Thebse, Thebes: see Theban.] 
Same as Theban. 
thebaine (the'ba-in), n. [< thebaia + -i<? 2 .] 
An alkaloid, Ci9H 21 NO 3 , obtained from opium. 
It is a white crystalline base having an acrid taste, and 
analogous to strychnine in its physiological effects. Also 
called thebaia, paramorphine. 
Theban (the'ban), a. and . [= F. Thebain, < 
L. Tlifba nun, of or pertaining to Thebes, < Thebse, 
Thebe, < Gr. 9?/3ai, Q/i[)v, Thebes.] I. a. 1 . Relat- 
ing to Thebes, an ancient city of Upper Egypt, 
on the Nile, and a center of Egyptian cunliza- 
tion. 2. Relating to Thebes, in antiquity the 
chief city of Boaotia in Greece Theban year, in 
one. chron,, the Egyptian year, which consisted of 365 days 
6 hours. 
II. n. 1. An inhabitant of Thebes in Egypt. 
2. An inhabitant of Thebes in Greece. 
Thebesian (the-be'si-an), a. [< Thebesius (see 
def.) + -an.]' Described by or named from 
the German anatomist Thebesius (eighteenth 
century). 
In the heart [of the porpoise] the fossa ovalis is distinct, 
but there is neither Eustachian nor Thebesian valve. 
Huxley, Anat. Vert, p. 347. 
Thebesian foramina, small openings into the right 
auricle, and it is said elsewhere in the heart. Many are 
merely small recesses ; others are the mouths of small 
veins, the vense minima? cordis, or Thebesian veins. The- 
besian valve, the coronary valve of the right auricle of 
the heart. Tnebesiau veins, veins bringing blood from 
the substance of the heart into the right auricle through 
the Thebesian foramina. 
theca (the'ka), . ; pi. thecse (-se). [NL., < L. 
tlteca, < Gr. W/nr/, a case, box, receptacle, < 
Tidsvat, put, set, place : see rfol. From the L. 
word, through OF., come E. tick 3 and tie 2 , q. v.] 
1. Acase;box; sheath. Specifically (a) In Rom. 
antiq., a case for the bulla worn by boys around the neck. 
(6) Eccles., the case or cover used to contain the corporal ; 
the burse, (c) In bot., a case or sac ; in a general sense, the 
same as capsule. Specifically (1) An anther-cell. (2) The 
capsule or sporogonium of a moss. (3) The sporangium of 
a fern. (4) A form of the fructification of lichens, (d) In 
anat. and zool., a sheath ; a vaginal structure ; a hollow 
case or containing part or organ, inclosing or covering 
something as a scabbard does a sword : variously applied. 
(1) The loose sheath formed within the vertebral canal 
by the dura mater ; the theca of the spinal cord ; the 
theca vertebralis. (2) One of the fibrous sheaths in which 
the tendons of the muscles of the fingers and toes glide 
back and forth. (3) The sheath or case of the proboscis of 
dipterous insects, of disputed homology. It has been va- 
riously regarded as a labrum, as a labium, as these two 
coalesced, and as a modification of the galea. (4) The 
horny covering of an insect-pupa. (5) In AMivtzoa, a 
corallite or cup-coral, together with the associate soft 
parts ; the cup, formed of calcareous substance, about the 
base and sides of an actinozoan ; the cup, cone, or tube 
containing a polypite, itself sometimes contained in an 
epitheca. See endotheca, epitheca, aporose. 
2. [cup.] A genus of pteropods, having a 
sheath-like shell, typical of the family Tltetidse. 
Sowerby, 1845. Also named Ilyolithes (Eich- 
wald, 1840). Theca foUlCUll, the external connective- 
tissue capsule inclosing a Graanan follicle. Theca ver- 
tebralis. See def. 1 (d) (IX above. 
Thecaglossa, n. pi. See Thecoglossee. 
thecal (the'kal), a. [< theca + -al] Of the na- 
ture of, or pertaining to, a theca, in any sense ; 
vaginal; theciform. 
thecaphore (the'ka-for), n. [= F. thecaphore, 
< Gr. fli/nri, case, +"-0opof, < Qepeiv = E. bear 1 .] 
In bot. : (a) A surface or receptacle bearing a 
theca or thecep. (6) The stipe upon which a 
simple pistil is sometimes borne, being mor- 
phologically the petiole of the carpellary leaf, 
as in the caper and the goldthread. 
thecasporal (the-ka-spo'ral), a. [< theeaspore 
+ -al.] In bot., of or pertaining to a theca- 
spore; thecasporous; ascosporous. 
theeaspore (the'ka-spor), n. [< theca + spore.] 
In hot., an ascospore; a spore produced in a 
theca, or closed sac. 
thecaspored (the'ka-spord), a. [< theeaspore 
+ -e<f'.] In bot., provided with thecaspores. 
thecasporous (the-ka-spo'rus), a. [< theca + 
.ipore + -OIK.] Having thecaspores, or spores 
borne in thec ; ascosporous. 
thecate (the'kat), , [< theca + -ate*.] Hav- 
ing a theca; contained in a theca; sheathed. 
6270 
Thecidse (the'si-de), n. pi. [NL.,< Theca + 
-ii/.r.] A family of thecosomatous pteropods. 
typified by the genus Theca. 
Thecidiidse (the-si-di'i-de), H. pi. [NL., < The- 
ci(li(um) + -idle.] A family of arthropomatons 
brachiopods, typified by the genus TI/iTidiitm. 
They have lobed arms, interlocked valves, and the neural 
valve attached in adult life. There are 2 living species, 
In the Mediterranean and the West Indies, and nearly 40 
extinct species, going back to the Trias. 
Thecidium (the-sid'i-um), n. [NL. (Sowerby, 
1844), < Gr. Sr/n>!, case : see theca.] A genus of 
brachiopods, typical of the family Thecidiidse. 
theciferous (the-sif'e-rus), n. [< NL. theca, 
theca, + Ij.ferre (= E. bear 1 ) + -ous.] In bot., 
bearing thecaj or asci. 
theciform (the'si-fdrm), a. [< NL. tlteca, theca, 
+ Li. forma, form.] Forming or resembling a 
sheath; thecal in aspect or office. Hujcley, 
Anat. Invert., p. 137. 
thecium (the'sium), . ; pi. thecia (-sia). [NL., 
< Gr. f>i/K>/, case: see theca.] 1. In lichens, that 
part of the apothecium which contains the or- 
gans of the fruit. Eneyc. Brit., XIV. 554. 2. 
Same as hymenium. 
theck (thek), v. A dialectal form of thatch. 
Thecia (thek'la), . [NL. (Fabricius, 1807); 
prob. from therein, name Thecia, Tltekla.] A 
large and important genus of butterflies, con- 
taining the forms com- . . 
monly known as hair- ^&^ \ / 
streaks, typical of the 
subfamily Theclinee of 
the Lycsenidse. They are 
small brownish butterflies 
with rather stout bodies, 
short palpi, antenna; reach- 
ing to the middle of the 
fore wings, and usually one Tktda nifhon. natural size. 
or two slender tails (some- 
times mere points) projecting from the hind wings near 
the anal angle. Forty-five species inhabit North America. 
theclan (thek'lan), a. [< Thecia + -o3.] Of 
or pertaining to the genus Thecia. Stand. Nat. 
Hist., II. 478. 
thecodactyl, thecodaetyle (the-ko-dak'til), a. 
and . K Gr. WIKTI, case, + odimflof, digit : see 
dactyl.] I. a. Having thecal digits, as a gecko; 
having thick toes whose scales furnish a sheath 
for the claw. See cut under gecko. 
II. n. A thecodactyl gecko. 
thecodactylous (the-ko-dak'ti-lus), a. Same as 
thecodactyl. 
Thecodactylus (the-ko-dak'ti-lus), . [NL. 
(Cuvier, 1817, as Tliecadactylus): see thecodac- 
tyl.'] A genus of gecko-lizards. See gecko. 
thecodont (the'ko-dont), a. and n. [< Gr. 67107, 
case, + Motif (bdovr-) = E. tooth.] I. a. Hav- 
ing the teeth lodged in alveoli : said of certain 
Lacertilia, as distinguished from those whose 
dentition is acrodont or pleurodont. 
II. H. A thecodont lizard. 
Thecodontia (the-ko-don'shi-a), n. pi. [NL. : 
see thecodont.] A group of dinosaurs with 
thecodont dentition and amphicoelous verte- 
bras. 
Thecodontosaums (the-ko-don-to-sa'rus), n. 
[NL., < Gr. 6^/Kri, case, + 'Movf (OOOVT-), = E. 
tooth (see thecodont), + aavpof, lizard.] A ge- 
nus of thecodont reptiles whose remains were 
found in the dolomitic conglomerate of Red- 
land, near Bristol, in England : now referred to 
a family Anchisavridse. 
Thecoglossae (the-ko-glos'e), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. 
(tyiui, case, + yl.uoaa, tongue.] A group of liz- 
ards, characterized by the smooth sheathed 
tongue. It has included the monitors. In 
Cope's system it contains only the Agamidx. 
Also Thecaglossa. 
thecoglossate (the-ko-glos'at), a. [< Theco- 
glossie + -ate 1 .] Pertaining to the Tliecoglossse, 
or having their characters. 
Thecomedusae (theko-me-du'se), n.pl. [NL., 
< Gr. (H]Kri, a case, + NL. Medusse, q. v.] A 
class of coelenterates, founded by Allman upon 
Stephanocyphus mirabilis. 
Thecophora (the-kof'o-ra), n. pi. [< Gr. %?, 
case, + -0opof, < $tpeiv = E. bear 1 .] 1. An or- 
der of hydroids. 2. A suborder of Testudinata, 
contrasted with Athecee, and containing all the 
tortoises whose carapace is perfect. 
Thecosomata (the-ko-so'ma-ta). n.pl. [NL., 
neut. pi. of thecosomatus : see thecosomatous.] 
An order of Pteropoda, having a mantle-skirt 
and shell: contrasted with Gi/mnosomata. Most 
pteropods are of this order, which is represented by such 
families as CymtndiMie, Tkecidif, Hyaleidie, and Limacin- 
idx. 
thecosomate (the-ko-so'mat), . Same as the- 
cosomatoits. 
theftuous 
thecosomatous (the-ko-som'a-tus), a. [< NL. 
tkeeosomatttt, < Gr. fl>fKJi, case, + n<j/ra(r-),body.] 
Having the body sheathed in a mantle-skirt, as 
a pteropod ; of or pertaining to the Tliccosomtitii. 
thecosome (the'ko-som), . A thecosomatous 
pteropod. 
thecostomous (the-kos'to-mus), . [<Gr.W//o?, 
a case, + OTU/UI, mouth.] Inentom., having the 
sucking parts of the mouth inclosed in a sheath. 
thedamt, thedomt, thedomet, Same as thee- 
dom. 
thee 1 ^ (the), r. i. [< ME. theen, then, or without 
the inf. suffix thee, the, < AS. thedn, thion, ge- 
theoii, be strong, thrive, = OS. 'thiltan, found 
only in the derived factitive thengian, complete, 
= D. gedyen, thrive, prosper, succeed, = OHG. 
gidihan, MHG. gedihen, G. gedeihen = Goth, ga- 
theihmt, increase, thrive ; orig., as the old parti- 
cipial form AS. ge-thungen shows, with a nasal 
suppressed (as usual before h), AS. 'thiiihan; 
cf. Lith. tenku, tefcti, have enough; Ir. tocad, W. 
tynged, luck, fortune.] To thrive; prosper. 
To traysen her that trewe is unto me, 
I pray God let this counseyl never the. 
Chaucer, Troilus, iv. 439. 
Quod Coueitise "And alle folk were trewe, 
Manye a man schulde neuere thee." 
Hyinm to Virgin, etc. (E. E. T. S.), p. 63. 
[Especially common in the phrase also or so mote I tkf.e, 
so may I prosper. 
Lasse harm is, so mote I the, 
Deceyve hem, than deceyved be. 
Rom. of the Rose, 1. 4841. 
The form theeeh, from thee ich, is also found in the phrase 
so theeeh, so may I thrive ; also so theek. 
By cause our fyr ne was nat maad of beech, 
That is the cause, and other noon, so theeeh. 
Chaucer, Prol. to Canon's Yeoman's Tale, 1. 376.] 
thee 2 (THe), pron. The objective case of thott. 
thee 3 (THe), pass. pron. [A dial. var. of thy, 
or, as among the Friends, a perverted use of 
the obj. thee.] Thy : as, where 's thee manners f 
[Prov. Eng. and U. S.] 
theedomt (the'dum), n. [< ME. thedom, thedome, 
thedam; < tliee% + -dom.] Success; prosperity; 
luck. 
What, yvel thedam on his monkes snowte ! 
Chaucer, Shipman's Tale, 1. 406. 
Now thrift and theedom mote thou haue, my awete barn. 
Babees Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 47. 
theek (thek), v. See thack-1, thatch. 
theeker (the'ker), n. An obsolete or dialectal 
form of tliatcher. 
theetsee(thet'se),. [Also thitsee, thietsee, thet- 
see ; native name in Pegu.] The black varnish- 
tree, Melanorrhaea usitata. See varnish-tree. 
theezan tea (the'zan te). Sageretia theezaiis. 
See Sageretia. 
theft, thefet, thefelyt. Old spellings of thief*, 
thiefly. 
theft (theft), n. [< ME. thefte, tliiefthe. theof- 
the, thiufthe, < AS. theofth, thyfth '(= OFries. 
thiuvethe, thim-ede, thiufthe, tiefte= Icel. thyj'th, 
theft), with abstract formative -th, as in stealth, 
etc., altered to t, as in height, etc., < thedf, thief: 
see thief 1 .'] 1. The act of stealing; in law, lar- 
ceny (which see): compare also robbery. 
For thefte and riot they been convertible. 
Chaucer, Cook's Tale, 1. 31. 
He who, still wanting, though he lives on theft, 
Steals much, spends little, yet has nothing left. 
Pope, ProL to Satires, 1. 183. 
The term theft in modern English law is sometimes used 
as a synonym of larceny, sometimes in a more comprehen- 
sive sense. Eneyc. Brit., XXIII. 232. 
2. Something stolen ; a loss by stealing. 
If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether 
it be ox, or ass, or sheep, he shall restore double. 
Ex. xxii. 4. 
If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing, 
And 'scape detecting, I will pay the theft. 
Shak., Hamlet, iii. 2. 94. 
Reset of theft. See reseti. 
theft-boott (theft'bot), n. [Also theft-bote, Sc. 
tltiftbote; < theft + boot 1 .] In law, the receiv- 
ing of one's goods again from a thief, or a com- 
pensation for them by way of composition , upon 
an agreement not to prosecute : a form of com- 
pounding felony. 
We hae aneugh, and it looks unco like theft-boot, or 
hush-money, as they ca' it. 
Scott, Heart of Mid- Lothian, xlviii. 
theftuous (thef 'tu-us), a. [Formerly also thief- 
teous, thefteoiiH, Sc. also thifteous, thiftous; < 
theft + -W-4MM.J Of the nature of theft; thiev- 
ish. [Rare.] 
Was not the thefteou* stealing away of the daughter 
from her own father the first ground whereupon all this 
great noise hath since proceeded? 
King James I., To Bacon, Aug. 23, 1617. 
