wing case


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Related to wing case: elytron, elytra

wing case

n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

el•y•tron

(ˈɛl ɪˌtrɒn)

n., pl. -tra (-trə).
one of the pair of hardened forewings of certain insects, as beetles, forming a protective covering for the rear wings.
[1745–55; < New Latin < Greek élytron literally, cover, case, akin to eilýein to enfold, wrap]
el′y•trous (-trəs) adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.wing case - either of the horny front wings in beetles and some other insects which cover and protect the functional hind wings
wing - a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
The dependency of [eta](T) was obtained for the same parameters as for the flapping wing case (Fig 8).
Belgian multi-disciplinary artist, Jan Fabre's Heaven of Delight ceiling, made out of one million six hundred thousand jewel-scarab wing cases), is widely praised.
For example, in looking at a lady bug, she says to Mogi, "Did you know ladybugs can play dead to keep predators away?" She then notes that to dress as a ladybug, she would need "two wing cases, two wings and two antennae" and is shown in such a costume.