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elytron

(el′i trän′)

noun pl. elytra

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

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

See elytron in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. el·y·tra (-trə)

Either of the leathery or chitinous forewings of a beetle or a related insect, serving to encase the thin, membranous hind wings used in flight. Also called wing case.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , from Greek elutron, sheath; see wel-² in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

elˈy·troidˌ (-troidˌ) adjective

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