forewing

[ fawr-wing, fohr- ]

noun

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

forewing

/ ˈfɔːˌwɪŋ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of forewing¹

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 there are more than a half-million known beetle species, and until now, all have had at least some form of hard forewing 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