Sheath

shēth, n. a case for a sword or other long instrument: a scabbard: any thin defensive covering: a membrane covering a stem or branch: the wing-case of an insect.— v.t. Sheathe ( th ), to put into a sheath: to cover with a sheath or case: to enclose in a lining.— adj. Sheathed ( th ), provided with, or enclosed in, a sheath: ( bot. , zool. , and an at. ) having a sheath, vaginate.— ns. Sheath′ing ( th ), that which sheathes, esp. the covering of a ship's bottom; Sheath′-knife , a knife carried in a sheath from the waist.— adjs. Sheath′le ; Sheath′-winged , having the wings encased in elytra: coleopterous; Sheath′y , sheath-like.— Sheathe the sword , to put an end to war. [A.S. scéth , scǽth ; Ger. scheide , Ice. skeithir .]