Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SHEATH, n. Also shaed (Sh. 1897 Shetland News (9 Oct.)). [ʃiθ, ʃeθ; Sh. ʃed]

1. As in Eng., the case for a knife-blade. Comb. sheath-whittle, a sheath-knife (Kcb. 1896 Crockett Grey Man xlvii.).

2. Sc. usage: a pad of stuffed straw, feathers or horsehair, worn on a belt round the waist and usually covered with leather with perforations, into which are thrust the ends of the needles not in use by a woman when knitting (Sh., n., e. and wm.Sc. 1970). Also in Eng. dial. Comb. knitting-sheath, id.Sc. 1755 Smollett Don Quixote IV. xvi.:
In making knitting-sheaths and plain-work.Fif. 1867 S. Tytler Diamond Rose ii. v.:
The white feathers of a sea-gull for her knitting-sheath, which she may pin to her side.Bnff. 1941 Abd. Univ. Review (Spring) 93:
He'd sheaths for the wyvin.