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elytron

noun el·y·tron \ ˈe-lə-ˌträn \
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Definition of elytron

plural elytra play \ˈe-lə-trə\
: one of the anterior wings in beetles and some other insects that serve to protect the posterior pair of functional wings

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Origin and Etymology of elytron

New Latin, from Greek, sheath, wing cover, from eilyein to roll, wrap — more at voluble

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