sheath

[sheeth] /ʃiθ/
noun, plural sheaths
[sheeth z] /ʃiðz/ (Show IPA)
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)
9.
to sheathe.
Origin
before 950; Middle English s(c)heth(e), Old English scēath; cognate with German Scheide; see shed2
Related forms
sheathless, adjective
sheathlike, sheathy, adjective
Can be confused
sheath, sheathe.

sheathe

[sheeth] /ʃið/
verb (used with object), sheathed, sheathing.
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.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English shethen, derivative of sheath
Related forms
sheather, noun
Can be confused
sheath, sheathe.
Examples from the web for sheathed
  • Their seats are decorated with doilies and sheathed in plastic.
  • New hold-downs at the ends of new sheathed cripple walls.
  • It is partially sheathed on the sides and has a deep overhang reminiscent of the rakish prow of a ship.
  • When an ax is transported in a vehicle or on a horse or mule, it always should be sheathed or boxed.
  • These cripple walls are weak typically sheathed with only stucco or horizontal wood siding on the exterior side of the wall.
  • The first story is partially sheathed in wood shingles and partially enclosed in plywood panels.
British Dictionary definitions for sheathed

sheath

/ʃiːθ/
noun (pl) sheaths (ʃiːðz)
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
7.
(transitive) another word for sheathe
Word Origin
Old English scēath; related to Old Norse skeithir, Old High German sceida a dividing; compare Old English scādan to divide

sheathe

/ʃiːð/
verb (transitive)
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
Word Origin and History for sheathed

sheath

n.

Old English sceað, scæð, from Proto-Germanic *skaithiz (cf. Old Saxon scethia, Old Norse skeiðir (plural), Old Frisian skethe, Middle Dutch schede, Dutch schede, Old High German skaida, German scheide "a sheath, scabbard"), according to OED, possibly from root *skei- "divide, split" (see shed (v.)) on notion of a split stick with the sword blade inserted. Meaning "condom" is recorded from 1861; sense of "close-fitting dress or skirt" is attested from 1904.

sheathe

v.

c.1400, "to furnish (a sword, etc.) with a sheath," from sheath; meaning "to put (a sword, etc.) in a sheath" is attested from early 15c. Related: Sheathed; sheathing.

sheathed in Medicine

sheath (shēth)
n. pl. sheaths (shēðz, shēths)
An enveloping tubular structure, such as the tissue that encloses a muscle or nerve fiber.

sheathed in Science
sheath
  (shēth)   
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.