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What is "elytra"

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elytra
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Elytra

Elytron \El"y*tron\ (?; 277), Elytrum \El"y*trum\ (-tr?m)n.; pl. Elytra. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to roll round.] (Zo["o]l.)

  1. One of the anterior pair of wings in the Coleoptera and some other insects, when they are thick and serve only as a protection for the posterior pair. See Coleoptera.

  2. One of the shieldlike dorsal scales of certain annelids. See Ch[ae]topoda.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
elytra

1774, plural of elytron "hardened wing of an insect," from Greek elytron "sheath," from elyein "to roll round," from PIE root *wel- (3) "to turn, roll," with derivatives referring to curved, enclosing objects (see volvox). Related: Elytroid.

Wiktionary
elytra

n. (plural of elytron nocap=1 English)

WordNet
elytra

See elytron

elytron

  1. n. either of the horny front wings in beetles and some other insects which cover and protect the functional hind wings [syn: wing case]

  2. [also: elytra (pl)]

Usage examples of "elytra".

You see, sir,--and he went on with elytra and antennae and tarsi and metatarsi and tracheae and stomata and wingmuscles and leg-muscles and ganglions,--all plain enough, I do not doubt, to those accustomed to handling dor-bugs and squash-bugs and such undesirable objects of affection to all but naturalists.

The stiff edges, being forced slightly apart by the inclination of the body, come back into contact with a sharp click, similar to that emitted by the elytra of certain beetles.