Seals

seal ¹  (sl)

n.

1.

a. A die or signet having a raised or incised emblem used to stamp an impression on a receptive substance such as wax or lead.

b. The impression so made.

c. The design or emblem itself, belonging exclusively to the user: a monarch's seal.

d. A small disk or wafer of wax, lead, or paper bearing such an imprint and affixed to a document to prove authenticity or to secure it.

2. Something, such as a commercial hallmark, that authenticates, confirms, or attests.

3. A substance, especially an adhesive agent such as wax or putty, used to close or secure something or to prevent seepage of moisture or air.

4. A device that joins two systems or elements in such a way as to prevent leakage.

5.

a. An airtight closure.

b. A closure, as on a package, used to prove that the contents have not been tampered with.

6. A small decorative paper sticker.

tr.v. sealed, seal·ing, seals

1. To affix a seal to in order to prove authenticity or attest to accuracy, legal weight, quality, or another standard.

2.

a. To close with or as if with a seal.

b. To close hermetically.

c. To make fast or fill up, as with plaster or cement.

d. To apply a waterproof coating to: seal a blacktop driveway.

3. To grant, certify, or designate under seal or authority.

4. To establish or determine irrevocably: Our fate was sealed.

5. Mormon Church To make (a marriage, for example) binding for life; solemnize forever.

Phrasal Verb:

seal off

To close tightly or surround with a barricade or cordon: An unused wing of the hospital was sealed off.

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[Middle English, from Old French seel, from Vulgar Latin *sigellum, from Latin sigillum, diminutive of signum, sign, seal; see sek^w-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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seala·ble adj.

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seal ²  (sl)

n.

1. Any of various aquatic carnivorous mammals of the families Phocidae and Otariidae, found chiefly in the Northern Hemisphere and having a sleek, torpedo-shaped body and limbs that are modified into paddlelike flippers.

2. The pelt or fur of one of these animals, especially a fur seal.

3. Leather made from the hide of one of these animals.

intr.v. sealed, seal·ing, seals

To hunt seals.

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[Middle English sele, from Old English seolh.]

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Seals

sigillography

the study of seals. — sigillographer, n. — sigillographic, adj.

sphragistics

the scientific study of seals and signet rings. — sphragistic, adj.