sheath

[sheeth]

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noun, plural sheaths [sheeth z] /ʃiðz/.

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

any similar close-fitting covering or case.

a condom.

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

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

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

Electricity. the metal covering of a cable.

Electronics.

the metal wall of a wave guide.
a space charge formed by ions near an electrode in a tube containing low-pressure gas.
the region of a space charge in a cathode-ray tube.

verb (used with object)

to sheathe.

Origin of sheath

before 950; Middle English s(c)heth(e), Old English scēath; cognate with German Scheide; see shed²

Related formssheath·less, adjectivesheath·like, sheath·y, adjective

Can be confusedsheath sheathe

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for sheath

covering, coat, cover, sheathing, wrapping, scabbard, spathe, case, envelope, wrapper, capsule, skin, dress

Examples from the Web for sheath

Contemporary Examples of sheath

The first lady wore a Michael Kors sheath with a matching cropped jacket and traditional pearls.
Michelle Obama and Ann Romney: First Ladies of Style
Robin Givhan
October 24, 2012
I learned from those articles, lessons about rhythm and pacing and when to stick the dagger in and when to sheath it.
Alexander Cockburn, 1941-2012
Michael Tomasky
July 22, 2012
I took off the sheath, the holster, so to speak, of the taser and I loaded the taser.
L.A. Riots Anniversary: Stacey Koon’s Disturbing Testimony
Christine Pelisek
April 28, 2012
But Victoria Beckham likes a sheath so perfectly fitted that you might as well brace yourself for a diet based solely on refusal.
New York Fashion Week: Top-Trends Roundup
Robin Givhan
February 17, 2012
The sheath surrounding the nerves acts as an electrical insulator, increasing neural speed by 100-fold.
Why Dumb Toys Make Kids Smarter
Po Bronson
October 1, 2009

Historical Examples of sheath

What make you, Alleyne, of these black lines which are drawn across the sheath?
The White Company
Arthur Conan Doyle
And drawing his knife from its sheath, he flung it down at my feet.
Green Mansions
W. H. Hudson
Sheath your swords, comrades; after all, it is no affair of ours.
Fair Margaret
H. Rider Haggard
He drew his short sword from its sheath, and scratched a deep mark in the gravel.
Roden's Corner
Henry Seton Merriman
He tried to draw it, failed, and looking all along the sheath, saw its condition.
Wilfrid Cumbermede
George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for sheath

sheath

noun plural sheaths (ʃiːðz)

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

any similar close-fitting case

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

the protective covering on an electric cable

a figure-hugging dress with a narrow tapering skirt

another name for condom

verb

(tr) another word for sheathe

Word Origin for sheath

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sheath

Old English sceað, scæð, from Proto-Germanic *skaithiz (cf. Old Saxon scethia, Old Norse skeiðir (plural), Old Frisian skethe, Middle Dutch schede, Dutch schede, Old High German skaida, German scheide "a sheath, scabbard"), according to OED, possibly from root *skei- "divide, split" (see shed (v.)) on notion of a split stick with the sword blade inserted. Meaning "condom" is recorded from 1861; sense of "close-fitting dress or skirt" is attested from 1904.