el·y·tron
(ĕl′ĭ-trŏn′)n. pl. el·y·tra (-trə)
Either of the leathery or chitinous forewings of a beetle or a related insect, serving to encase the membranous hind wings used in flight. Also called wing case.
el′y·troid′ (-troid′) adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
elytron
(ˈɛlɪˌtrɒn) orelytrum
n, pl -tra (-trə)
(Zoology) either of the horny front wings of beetles and some other insects, which cover and protect the hind wings
[C18: from Greek elutron sheath, covering]
ˈelyˌtroid, ˈelytrous adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
el•y•tron
(ˈɛl ɪˌtrɒn)n., pl. -tra (-trə).
one of the pair of hardened forewings of certain insects, as beetles, forming a protective covering for the rear wings.
[1745–55; < New Latin < Greek élytron literally, cover, case, akin to eilýein to enfold, wrap]
el′y•trous (-trəs) adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
When closed, the elytron protects the hind wing. The elytra are opened for flight.
el·y·tron
(ĕl′ĭ-trŏn′) Plural elytra
Either of the modified forewings of a beetle or related insect that encase the thin hind wings used in flight.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.