scabbard

[ skab-erd ]

noun

1. a sheath for a sword or the like.

verb (used with object)

1. to put into a scabbard; sheathe.

scabbard

/ ˈskæbəd /

noun

1. a holder for a bladed weapon such as a sword or bayonet; sheath

Other Words From

• scabbard·less adjective
• un·scabbard verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of scabbard¹

1250–1300; Middle English scalburde, scauberge (compare Anglo-French escauberz, escauberge, Medieval Latin escauberca ) ≪ dissimilated variant of Old High German *skārberga sword-protection. See shear, harbor

Word History and Origins

Origin of scabbard¹

C13 scauberc, from Norman French escaubers (pl), of Germanic origin; related to Old High German skār blade and bergan to protect

Example Sentences

Whenever an injustice occurred, Hitchens would declare, “The pen of the Hitch will flash from its scabbard.”

From The Daily Beast

A leather swordbelt, gold-embroidered at the edges, carried a long steel-halted rapier in a leather scabbard chaped with steel.

From Project Gutenberg

Nevertheless, he was girt with a sword in a ragged scabbard hanging from a frayed and shabby belt of leather.

From Project Gutenberg

"I want you to whip this malapert with your sword-scabbard," roared the old patrician, pale with anger.

From Project Gutenberg

I had half drawn my sword from its scabbard, but I returned it: I made an inward determination as to his fate, and I kept it.

From Project Gutenberg

"One seems to be the scabbard, the other the blade," whispered Albert de Gondi in her ear.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• coat