Illustration of elytron
- elytron E
elytron
noun
el·y·tron ˈe-lə-ˌträn 
plural elytra ˈe-lə-trə
: one of the anterior wings in beetles and some other insects that serve to protect the posterior pair of functional wings
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines. 
Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017 The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017
Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017 The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017 Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek, sheath, wing cover, from eilyein to roll, wrap — more at voluble
First Known Use
1774, in the meaning defined above