sheath

[ sheeth ]

noun

, plural sheaths [shee, th, z].

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

/ shēth /

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 Words From

• sheathless adjective
• sheathlike sheathy 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

Smith, however, left behind the knife, a knife sheath and the audio recorder covered in DNA that would implicate him in the murder.

From Los Angeles Times

The mattress was wrapped in a strange institutional rubbery plastic sheath, but that wouldn't defeat me.

From Salon

However, EBV infection has been linked to several diseases, including MS: an incurable, chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body's immune system to attack the myelin sheath of neurons in the brain and nervous system.

From Science Daily

His wartime saber, its sheath and a military chest marked “books” were on the block for $71,500.

From New York Times

It was essentially a collection of 17 fuel tanks in a sheath of carbon fiber cloth, epoxy and paper — a skin so fragile that it could be damaged by an elbow poke.

From New York Times

Related Words

• covering