'elytrate' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'elytratus', derived from Greek 'ἔλυτρον' ('elytron'), where the root 'ἔλυτρον' meant 'sheath' or 'cover'.

'elytrate' changed from the New Latin adjective 'elytratus', which in turn was formed from the noun 'elytron' (from Greek 'ἔλυτρον'), and eventually entered English usage as the noun 'elytron' and the adjective 'elytrate'.

Initially it meant 'sheath' or 'cover' (the original Greek sense), then came to denote specifically the hardened forewing ('elytron') of certain insects, and in adjective form now means 'having elytra'.