scabbard
UK: ˈskæb.əd | US: ˈskæb.ɚd
n. a sheath for the blade of a sword or dagger, typically made of leather or metal
scabbard = scabb<sheath> + ard<noun suffix>
- scabb (from Old French escauberc, meaning "sheath," likely of Germanic origin, related to Old High German scār "cutting tool")
- ard (a suffix of Germanic origin, often forming nouns denoting objects or tools)
Etymology Origin:
The word "scabbard" traces back to Old French escauberc, which itself borrowed from a Germanic source. The morpheme scabb reflects the protective function of a sheath, while -ard solidifies it as a tangible object. Over time, the spelling simplified, but the core idea of a protective cover for blades remained consistent.
The knight slid his sword back into the leather scabbard.
A finely engraved scabbard often indicated the owner's high status.
The museum displayed a 12th-century scabbard alongside its matching dagger.
He fumbled to draw his weapon, the scabbard catching on his belt.
Rust had begun to form on the metal fittings of the old scabbard.