unsheathe

American

[uhn-sheeth] / ʌnˈʃið /

verb (used with object)

to draw from a sheath, as a sword, knife, or the like.
to bring or put forth from a covering, threateningly or otherwise.

unsheathe British

/ ʌnˈʃiːð /

verb

(tr) to draw or pull out (something, esp a weapon) from a sheath or other covering

"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

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Etymology

Origin of unsheathe

1325–75; Middle English unshethen to dislodge; see un- ², sheathe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Unveiled the same day the United Nations warned of a “code red for humanity” because of rapid climate heating, the fiscal plan would unsheathe a vast effort to move the U.S. toward clean energy.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 9, 2021

Hardly a day passes that an eager Torontonian doesn’t descend upon him, unsheathe an iPhone, and snap a quick selfie.

From The Guardian • May 1, 2016

He was often called on to unsheathe a sword from his umbrella, battling forces of international evil without creasing his Savile Row suits or spilling his champagne.

From Washington Post • Jun. 25, 2015

And should the hole play into the wind, players will be forced to unsheathe the heavy artillery.

From New York Times • Aug. 11, 2012

Before I could even unsheathe my claws, they pounced atop me.

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023