hemelytron

[ he-mel-i-tron ]
/ hɛˈmɛl ɪˌtrɒn /

noun, plural hem·el·y·tra [he-mel-i-truh] /hɛˈmɛl ɪ trə/. Entomology.

one of the forewings of a true bug, having a hard, thick basal portion and a thinner, membranous apex.
Also hemielytron.

Origin of hemelytron

First recorded in 1820–30; hem(i)- + elytron

OTHER WORDS FROM hemelytron

hem·el·y·tral [he-mel-i-truh l] /hɛˈmɛl ɪ trəl/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for hemelytra

British Dictionary definitions for hemelytra

hemelytron

hemielytron (ˌhɛmɪˈɛlɪˌtrɒn)

/ (hɛˈmɛlɪˌtrɒn) /

noun plural -tra (-trə)

the forewing of plant bugs and related insects, having a thickened base and a membranous apex

Derived forms of hemelytron

hemelytral or hemielytral, adjective

Word Origin for hemelytron

C19: from New Latin hemielytron, from hemi- + Greek elutron a covering