What is the Latin word for sheath?

The usual Latin words for “sheath” are thēca, vāgīna, involūcrum. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“sheath” in Latin

thēcaa case, envelope, sheath vāgīnasheath; scabbard; covering; sheath; holder (of anything)involūcrumwrapper, covering, case, envelope

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

sheath

theca (general term; e.g., of a razor): vagina (for a long, sharp instrument; also of plants): involucrum (covering, wrapper; e.g., of a shield, for papers, etc.).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for sheath?: The usual Latin words for “sheath” are thēca, vāgīna, involūcrum. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.