sheath

[sheeth]

noun

plural

sheaths 

1. a case or covering for the blade of a sword, dagger, or the like.

2. any similar close-fitting covering or case.

3. a condom.

4. Biology.,  a closely enveloping part or structure, as in an animal or plant.

5. Botany.,  the leaf base when it forms a vertical coating surrounding the stem.

6. a close-fitting dress, skirt, or coat, especially an unbelted dress with a straight drape.

7. Electricity.,  the metal covering of a cable.

8. Electronics.

   1. the metal wall of a wave guide.

   2. a space charge formed by ions near an electrode in a tube containing low-pressure gas.

   3. the region of a space charge in a cathode-ray tube.

verb (used with object)

1. to sheathe.

sheath

/ ʃiːθ /

noun

1. a case or covering for the blade of a knife, sword, etc

2. any similar close-fitting case

3. biology an enclosing or protective structure, such as a leaf base encasing the stem of a plant

4. the protective covering on an electric cable

5. a figure-hugging dress with a narrow tapering skirt

6. another name for condom

verb

1. (tr) another word for sheathe

sheath

1. An enveloping tubular structure, such as the base of a grass leaf that surrounds the stem or the tissue that encloses a muscle or nerve fiber.

Other Word Forms

• sheathless adjective
• sheathlike adjective
• sheathy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheath¹

before 950; Middle English s ( c ) heth ( e ), Old English scēath; cognate with German Scheide; shed ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheath¹

Old English scēath; related to Old Norse skeithir, Old High German sceida a dividing; compare Old English scādan to divide

Example Sentences

Her hands stop when they reach the sheath strap across her chest.

Read more on Literature

Lloyd-Hall claimed he thought he had only hit Harry with the sheath in an attempt to get Harry away from him.

Read more on BBC

In "shocking" mobile phone footage played in court, a knife sheath was seen to fly through the air during the fast-paced incident.

Read more on BBC

In the press release, the sheriff’s office included a picture of a chef’s knife with a green sheath as an example of the “suspected weapon” used in the crime.

Read more on Salon

Their findings show that the immune system begins attacking the brain's protective myelin sheath -- the fatty covering that insulates nerve fibers -- much earlier than scientists once believed.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• covering