unsheathe

[ uhn-sheeth ]

/ ʌnˈʃið /

Save This Word!

verb (used with object), un·sheathed, un·sheath·ing.

to draw from a sheath, as a sword, knife, or the like.

to bring or put forth from a covering, threateningly or otherwise.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of unsheathe

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use unsheathe in a sentence

But Dowd and Cohen are here to remind us that the knives will once again be unsheathed.
Hillary 2016 Brings Back Boomer Clinton Rage|Michael Tomasky|August 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Not since the Three Musketeers unsheathed their swords centuries ago has Gascony seen this much excitement.
Gascony: France's New Foodie Destination|Condé Nast Traveler|July 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Farrell unsheathed his full frontal glory in the small indie movie A Home at the End of the World.
Colin Farrell Eyes Return to Hollywood A-List With ‘Total Recall’ Reboot|Chris Lee|August 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Mugabe must have been pleased with the sword: he smiled as he unsheathed it, and then swung it around.
Hugo Chávez Claims U.S. Gives Leaders Cancer and More Crazy Quotes||December 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Will not my sword be unsheathed in the defence of the Capitol?
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|Edward Gibbon
Miss Lydia thrust it through her girdle, laid it on the table beside her bed, and unsheathed it twice over before she fell asleep.
Columba|Prosper Merimee
Soon as thought of, he unsheathed his hunting-knife, and set to cutting the grass, as reaper with “hook and crook.”
The Vee-Boers|Mayne Reid
That evening they were united in wedlock; but when they retired to rest Sigurd unsheathed Gram, and laid it between them.
The Mysteries of All Nations|James Grant
This was a sight the hunter could not endure, so he unsheathed his huge hunting-knife and assaulted the black monster.
Letters from the Alleghany Mountains|Charles Lanman

British Dictionary definitions for unsheathe

unsheathe

/ (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