elytron

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἔλυτρον (élutron, “sheath”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛlɪtɹɒn/

Noun

elytron (plural elytra)

1. A sheath or outer covering, especially around the spinal cord or over the hindwings of certain insects.
   • 1997, Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon:

     In a corner, the Darkling Beetle rustles in its Cage, its Elytra the same unforgiving white as the great sand-waste call’d ‘Kalahari’ lying north of here […]

Translations

outer covering of insect

• Finnish: peitesiipi
• French: élytre (fr) m
• Greek: έλυτρο (el) n (élytro)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Japanese: 翅鞘 (ししょう, shishō)
• Romanian: elitră (ro) f