sheathe

[ sheeth ]

verb (used with object)

, sheathed, sheath·ing.

1. to put (a sword, dagger, etc.) into a sheath.
2. to plunge (a sword, dagger, etc.) in something as if in a sheath.
3. to enclose in or as if in a casing or covering.
4. to cover or provide with a protective layer or sheathing:

   to sheathe a roof with copper.

5. to cover (a cable, electrical connector, etc.) with a metal sheath for grounding.

sheathe

/ ʃiːð /

verb

1. to insert (a knife, sword, etc) into a sheath
2. (esp of cats) to retract (the claws)
3. to surface with or encase in a sheath or sheathing

Other Words From

• sheather noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheathe¹

1350–1400; Middle English shethen, derivative of sheath

Example Sentences

Architect Daniel Huntington’s Hotel Piedmont even went so far as to use a large quantity of art tile from the Malibu Tile Company to sheathe the street-level facades.

From Seattle Times

As for SNAP, Republicans never sheathe the knives they have out for the food stamp program.

From Los Angeles Times

Leaked letters showed Benedict told a German cardinal who was part of a public assault on Francis' legitimacy to sheathe his ideological sword.

From Reuters

It’s an aesthetic that mirrors the related DarkMAGA trend, where alt-right deadenders and QAnon veterans have adopted an increasingly occultist tone to sheathe their reactionary beliefs.

From Slate

Jason wasn’t quite sure whether to sheathe his sword.

From Literature

Related Words

• encase