ˈelə.ˌträn noun
or elytrum ˈelə.trəm
( plural ely·tra -_trə)
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek elytron sheath, wing cover
1. : one of the thickened sclerotized anterior wings in beetles and some other insects that serve only to protect the posterior pair — called also wing cover
2. : one of the shielding dorsal scales of various polychaete worms