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.

In botany, a membrane investing a stem or branch, as in grasses.

Any thin covering for defense; the wing-case of an insect.

To put in a case or scabbard; as, the sheathe a sword or dagger.

To inclose or cover with a sheath or case. The leopard-deeps the claws of his fore feet turned up from the ground, and sheathed in the skin of his toes. Grew. ‘Tis in my breast she sheathes her dagger now.

To cover or line; as, to sheathe the bowels with demulcent or mucilaginous substances.

To obtund or blunt, as acrimonious or sharp particles.

To fit with a sheath.

To case or cover with boards or with sheets of copper; as, to sheathe a ship to protect it from the worms. To sheathe the sword, a figurative phrase, to put an end to war or emnity; to make peace. It corresponds to the Indian phrase, to bury the hatchet.