forewing

American  

[fawr-wing, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌwɪŋ, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

1. either of the anterior and usually smaller pair of wings wings of an insect having four wings. wings.

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forewing British  

/ ˈfɔːˌwɪŋ /

noun

1. either wing of the anterior pair of an insect's two pairs of wings

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Etymology

Origin of forewing

First recorded in 1885–90; fore- + wing

Example Sentences

The Mark IV has a “canard” design, with a small forewing placed to the front of the main wing, making it reminiscent of a duck stretched out in flight.

From Seattle Times

One early idea that was proposed as an explanation is that beetles have hardened forewings, called elytra, that form a protective capsule over their flight wings.

From Scientific American

But it was missing one of the animal’s defining characteristics: the tough forewing casing known to scientists as the elytra.

From New York Times

To generate chirps, crickets and katydids rub their forewings together, scraping a toothy vein against a smooth counterpart on the other wing, similar to a spoon raking a washboard.

From New York Times

The wing color next to the body is a dark brown with patches of orange on the forewings.

From Seattle Times