ˈshēth noun
( plural sheaths -ēthz, -ēths)
Etymology: Middle English shethe, from Old English scēath, scǣth; akin to Old High German sceida sheath, separation, Old Norse skeithir sheath, Old English scēadan, scādan to divide, separate — more at shed
1. : a case for the blade of a sword, hunting knife, or other instrument to which it fits closely — compare scabbard
2. : an investing cover or case of a plant or animal body or body part: as
a.
(1) : the tubular fold of skin into which the penis of many mammals is retracted
(2) : the connective tissue of an organ or part that binds together its component elements and hold it in place
(3) : the lorica of a protozoan or rotifer
b.
(1) : the lower part of a leaf (as of a grass) that more or less completely surrounds the stem
(2) : an ensheathing spathe
(3) : ocrea
3. : any of various covering or supporting structures that are applied like or felt to resemble the sheath of a blade: as
a. dialect Britain : a covering for holding and supporting a needle while knitting
b. : sheathing 2
c. : a bar connecting the beam and sole in front in an old-time plow
d. : a thin metal plate having its edges bent over to hold a sheet of photographic film or a plate during exposure
e. : condom
f. : a woman's close-fitting dress having narrow straight unbroken lines and usually worn without a belt
g. : a portion of an electric discharge through a gas in which the positive and negative ion densities differ so much as to result in an appreciable space charge — compare plasma