The term "lorica" refers to a type of body armor used in ancient Rome, primarily by soldiers known as legionaries. It was designed to provide protection in battle while allowing for mobility. The most common forms of lorica included the lorica segmentata, made of metal strips, and the lorica hamata, which was a chainmail variant. In addition to its military use, "lorica" can also refer to a protective covering in other contexts, such as in biology, where it describes a protective layer around certain microorganisms. This dual meaning highlights the concept of armor or protection across different fields.