sheathe

verb

ˈshēṯẖ 

variants or less commonly sheath

ˈshēth 

sheathed; sheathing

transitive verb

1

: to put into or furnish with a sheath

2

: to plunge or bury (a weapon, such as a sword) in flesh

3

: to withdraw (a claw) into a sheath

4

: to case or cover with something (such as sheets of metal) that protects

sheather

ˈshē-ṯẖər 

-thər

noun

Synonyms

• clad
• face

Examples of sheathe in a Sentence

sometimes shipbuilders sheathe a ship's bottom with copper for extra protection from barnacles and other threats

Recent Examples on the Web

The home also boasts a wooden staircase with black detailing on the railings, while another room has black and white tiling sheathing the walls. —Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2024

The objects include stone knives with handles made of grass resin sheathed in paperbark bound with string. —Jordan Riefe, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2024

Its soft pleats cradle the fish, sheathed in a batter made from three flours and vodka for maximum crunch, and latticed with powdered seaweed to give the appearance of tiny green veins. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2024

From the callous perspectives of enslavers and their investors, sheathing increased slavery profits by reducing deaths on the Middle Passage. —Corinne Fowler / Made By History, TIME, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English shethen, derivative of shethe sheath

Note: Middle English Dictionary cites Old English unscēaþian, but the source for this word is not established.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sheathe

verb

ˈshēt͟h 

sheathed; sheathing

1

: to put into a sheath

sheathe your sword

2

: to cover with something that protects

sheathe a ship's bottom with copper

sheather noun