sheath
|sheath|
/ʃiːθ/
protective cover
Etymology
'sheath' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'sceaðu' (or 'scēaðu'), where the root meant 'covering' or 'case'.
'sheath' changed from Old English 'sceaðu' through Middle English forms such as 'schethe' and 'shethe' and eventually became the modern English word 'sheath'.
Initially it meant 'a covering or case' (particularly for blades); over time this core meaning remained but extended metaphorically to botanical and anatomical coverings.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a protective close-fitting cover for the blade of a knife, sword, or similar instrument; a scabbard or case.
He slid the sword back into its sheath.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a protective or enclosing structure in plants (e.g., a leaf sheath) that wraps around a stem or leaf base.
The grass blade emerged from its sheath.
Synonyms
Noun 3
an anatomical covering or layer surrounding an organ or structure (e.g., the myelin sheath around nerve fibers).
Damage to the myelin sheath can affect nerve signaling.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to put (a blade or weapon) into a sheath; to place in a scabbard.
She sheathed the knife after cutting the rope.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/16 18:56