A sheath or protective case for holding a sword or dagger blade when it's not being used.
From Old French 'escaubers,' possibly from Frankish 'skar' (cut) and 'berg' (protection), literally 'cut-protection.' The word traveled through Norman French into English after 1066.
Medieval warriors spent way more time walking around with their swords in scabbards than actually using them in battle—so the scabbard became a status symbol showing off metal-working skill and wealth, making it almost as important as the sword itself.
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