elytron
el·y·tron
noun \ˈe-lə-ˌträn\ plural el·y·tra\-trə\
Definition of ELYTRON
: one of the anterior wings in beetles and some other insects that serve to protect the posterior pair of functional wings
See Illustration of ELYTRON
Origin of ELYTRON
New Latin, from Greek, sheath, wing cover, from eilyein to roll, wrap — more at voluble
First Known Use: 1774
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