Elytron

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɛlɪtɹɒn/

Origin

From Ancient Greek ἔλυτρον (elutron, "sheath").

Full definition of elytron

Noun

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 ...