ensheathe

Slide into covering

To ensheathe is to enclose in or as if in a sheath—a protective covering.

The word appears most often in technical or literary contexts: nerves ensheathed in myelin, a blade ensheathed in leather, fog ensheathed the valley.

The opposite is unsheathe.

enclose

envelop

Surround and cover fully

encapsulateContain or summarize completely
enfoldWrap something completely
wrapEnclose by winding around

swathe · cocoon · surround · engulf · enwrap · embrace · encase · shroud · cloak · mantle

conceal

hide

Conceal or pelt

obscureUnknown to most
cloakSleeveless outer wrap
veilFabric that obscures

mask · shroud · cover · screen · camouflage · disguise · enshroud · secrete · eclipse · shadow

sword

scabbard

Protective case for blades

bladeFlat cutting edge
hiltWeapon's graspable portion
pommelSaddle's front knob

tang · crossguard · steel · rapier · saber · cutlass · foil · epee · claymore · broadsword

protection

armor

Protective combat covering

shieldingProtecting from harm
guardWatchful defensive attention
defenseProtection against harm

buffer · safeguard · shelter · fortification · casing · housing · sleeve · jacket · covering · insulation

Opposites

covering/enclosure

ensheatheunsheathe

Remove from covering

draw · bare · expose · uncover · reveal

Family

sheath, sheathed, sheathing, unsheathe

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G