elytra

Variant of elytron

elytron definition

ely·tron (el′i trän′)

noun pl. elytra -·tra (-trə)

either of the front pair of modified, usually thickened, wings in certain insects, esp. beetles, which act as protective covering for the rear wings
also elytrum el′y·trum (-trəm)

Etymology: ModL < Gr a covering, sheath < IE *welutrom < base *wel-, to roll > walk

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.