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# sheath

noun (a sheath, sheaths — say «sheeths» or «sheethz»); verb related: sheathe

«sheath» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A close-fitting cover for the blade of a knife, sword or dagger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#m1)
2. (science) A covering around part of a plant or animal, such as the leaf sheath of grass or the sheath around a nerve. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#m2)
3. A protective covering around a cable or wire. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#m3)
4. A close-fitting, simple dress. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#m4)

### In the lessons

In history lessons and adventure stories, a knight pulls his sword from its sheath; in safety lessons a sheath shows a knife should be covered when carried by an adult. In science, a sheath is a wrapping layer, such as the myelin sheath that helps nerve messages travel fast. Phrases: «in its sheath», «a knife sheath», «a sheath of leaves».

### Examples

- The knight drew his sword from its sheath. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#x1)
- Put the camping knife back in its sheath when you finish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#x2)
- The cable has a plastic sheath to keep the wires safe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#x3)
- A leaf sheath wraps around the stem of the grass. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#x4)
- The dagger had a sheath made of leather. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#x5)
- Nerves have a fatty sheath that speeds up messages. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#x6)
- The actor wore a long silver sheath dress to the film awards. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#x7)
- He seized his sword, drew it out of its sheath in a flash, and tried to cut the ogre down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/#x8)

### Note

Noun «sheath» (ends in -th as in «thin»), verb «sheathe» (ends in -the as in «breathe»): you sheathe a sword in its sheath. Plural «sheaths».

## In Jewish tradition

The cover for a sword. A sword put back in its sheath means God's judgment has stopped, and one drawn out means judgment has begun.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads the angel's sword returning to its sheath as God's mercy ending the plague in David's day.

### Examples

- And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword back into the sheath thereof. (Writings 1CH.21.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sheath/#x1)
- and all flesh shall know that I the LORD have drawn forth My sword out of its sheath; it shall not return any more. (Prophets EZK.21.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sheath/#x2)
- Cause it to return into its sheath! — In the place where thou wast created, in the land of thine origin, will I judge thee. (Prophets EZK.21.35, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sheath/#x3)

### Note

Noun «sheath» (ends in -th as in «thin»), verb «sheathe» (ends in -the as in «breathe»): you sheathe a sword in its sheath. Plural «sheaths».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «sheath» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sheath/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sheath» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/sheath.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «sheath» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sheath/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sheath» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/sheath.html) on Mova free.