SHEATH

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sheath mean? 

• SHEATH (noun)
  The noun SHEATH has 3 senses:

1. a protective covering for a knife or sword
2. an enveloping structure or covering enclosing an animal or plant organ or part
3. a dress suitable for formal occasions

  Familiarity information: SHEATH used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SHEATH (noun)

Meaning:

A protective covering for a knife or sword

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("sheath" is a kind of...):

protection; protective cover; protective covering (a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sheath"):

aglet; aiglet (metal or plastic sheath over the end of a shoelace or ribbon)

cot; fingerstall (a sheath worn to protect a finger)

holster (a sheath (usually leather) for carrying a handgun)

scabbard (a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet)

Meaning:

An enveloping structure or covering enclosing an animal or plant organ or part

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

sheath; case

Hypernyms ("sheath" is a kind of...):

cover; covering; natural covering (a natural object that covers or envelops)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sheath"):

theca (outer sheath of the pupa of certain insects)

lorica (a hard protective sheath as secreted by certain protoctists e.g.)

medullary sheath; myelin sheath (a layer of myelin encasing (and insulating) the axons of medullated nerve fibers)

neurilemma; neurolemma (thin membranous sheath around a nerve fiber)

husk (outer membranous covering of some fruits or seeds)

Meaning:

A dress suitable for formal occasions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cocktail dress; sheath

Hypernyms ("sheath" is a kind of...):

dress; frock (a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice)