dac·tyl·i·o·the·ca \dak|tilēə|thēkə\noun (pluraldactyliothecas \-kəz\ ; ordactyliothe·cae \-(ˌ)sē\) Etymology: Latin, from Greek daktyliothēkē, from daktylio- dactylio- + thēkē case, cover — more at tick 1.: a case for a collection (as of rings, gems, or seals) 2.: a book reproducing illustrations of or cataloging a collection of gems and rings