elytron

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈɛlɪtɹɒn/

Noun

elytron (plural elytra)

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)

Japanese: 翅鞘 (ししょう, shishō)
Romanian: elitră (ro) f

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