sheath knife

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A knife that is kept and carried in a close-fitting cover, usually attached to a belt.

   Grammar: Countable: say a sheath knife or two sheath knives; the plural changes f to v.

   Patterns

   • carry a sheath knife
   • a sheath knife in its sheath
   • draw a sheath knife

   He carried a sheath knife on his belt while hiking.

   The scouts were taught to sharpen a sheath knife safely.

   She pulled the sheath knife out of its leather cover.

2. 2nouncountablerare

   A knife designed to fold or slide into a handle, rather than a separate cover.

   Grammar: This sense is less common and usually appears in descriptions of knife types.

   Patterns

   • a folding sheath knife

   Some modern sheath knives fold into the handle.

   The catalog listed both fixed and folding sheath knives.

Word forms

Common combinations

carry a sheath knife

Park rules allow visitors to carry a sheath knife only when camping.

sheath knife blade

The sheath knife blade was dull after months of use.

leather sheath

He kept the leather sheath oiled so the knife slid out easily.

draw a knife

She drew the knife from its sheath when the rope tangled.

fixed-blade knife

A sheath knife is a type of fixed-blade knife.

Synonyms and how they differ

hunting knife

A hunting knife is made for dressing game; a sheath knife is defined by its cover, not its purpose.

dagger

A dagger is a short stabbing weapon, while a sheath knife is usually a working tool.

pocketknife

A pocketknife folds and fits in a pocket, but a sheath knife is usually larger and worn on a belt.

Word family

sheathe verb

To put a knife or sword into its cover.

sheathing noun

A protective outer covering, as on a cable or a building.

Commonly confused: sheath knife or sheaf? sheath knife or sheathe?

Practice

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