Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Sheath

Sheath

,
Noun.
[OE.
schethe
, AS.
scǣð
,
sceáð
,
scēð
; akin to OS.
skēðia
, D.
scheede
, G.
scheide
, OHG.
sceida
, Sw.
skida
, Dan.
skede
, Icel.
skeiðir
, pl., and to E.
shed
, v.t., originally meaning, to separate, to part. See
Shed
.]
1.
A case for the reception of a sword, hunting knife, or other long and slender instrument; a scabbard.
The dead knight’s sword out of his
sheath
he drew.
Spenser.
2.
Any sheathlike covering, organ, or part.
Specifically:
(a)
(Bot.)
The base of a leaf when sheathing or investing a stem or branch, as in grasses.
(b)
(Zool.)
One of the elytra of an insect.
Medullary sheath
.
(Anat.)
See under
Medullary
.
Primitive sheath
.
(Anat.)
Sheath knife
,
a knife with a fixed blade, carried in a sheath.
Sheath of Schwann
.
(Anat.)

Webster 1828 Edition


Sheath

SHEATH

,
Noun.
1. A case for the reception of a sword or other long and slender instrument; a scabbard. A sheath is that which separates, and hence a defense.
2. In botany, a membrane investing a stem or branch, as in grasses.
3. Any thin covering for defense; the wing-case of an insect.

SHEATH

, v.t.

Definition 2024


sheath

sheath

English

Alternative forms

Noun

sheath (plural sheaths)

  1. A scabbard; a holster for a sword.
  2. Anything that has a similar shape to a scabbard for a sword that is for the purpose of holding an object that is longer than it is wide; a case.
  3. The insulating outer cover of an electrical cable.
  4. A tight-fitting dress.
  5. (Britain) A condom.
  6. The foreskin of certain animals, e.g. dogs and horses.
  7. The base of a leaf when sheathing or investing a stem or branch, as in grasses.
  8. One of the elytra of an insect.

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Pronunciation

Verb

sheath (third-person singular simple present sheaths, present participle sheathing, simple past and past participle sheathed)

  1. To put an object (especially a weapon, in particular, a sword) into its sheath.
    • John Dryden, The Hind and the Panther
      But when his foe lies prostrate on the plain, / He sheaths his paws, uncurls his angry mane, / And pleased with bloodless honours of the day, / Walks over and disdains th' inglorious prey.

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