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Definitions for: Seal
[n] any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions
[n] a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
[n] fastener that provides a tight and perfect closure
[n] a finishing coat applied to exclude moisture
[n] fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
[n] an indication of approved or superior status
[n] a stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it); "the warrant bore the sheriff's seal"
[n] the pelt or fur (especially the underfur) of a seal; "a coat of seal"
[v] hunt seals
[v] decide irrevocably; "sealing dooms"
[v] cover with varnish
[v] close with or as if with a seal; "She sealed the letter with hot wax"
[v] make tight; secure against leakage; "seal the windows"
[v] affix a seal to
Webster (1913) Definition: Seal (s[=e]l), n. [OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG.
selah, Dan. s[ae]l, Sw. sj["a]l, Icel. selr.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Phocid[ae]
and Otariid[ae].
Note: Seals inhabit seacoasts, and are found principally in
the higher latitudes of both hemispheres. There are
numerous species, bearing such popular names as {sea
lion}, sea leopard, sea bear, or ursine seal,
fur seal, and sea elephant. The bearded seal
(Erignathus barbatus), the hooded seal ({Cystophora
crustata}), and the ringed seal (Phoca f[oe]tida),
are northern species. See also Eared seal, {Harp
seal}, and Fur seal, under Eared, Harp, Monk,
and Fur. Seals are much hunted for their skins and
fur, and also for their oil, which in some species is
very abundant.
Harbor seal (Zo["o]l.), the common seal (Phoca vitulina).
It inhabits both the North Atlantic and the North Pacific
Ocean, and often ascends rivers; -- called also {marbled
seal}, native seal, river seal, bay seal, {land
seal}, sea calf, sea cat, sea dog, dotard,
ranger, selchie, tangfish.
Seal, n. [OE. seel, OF. seel, F. sceau, fr. L. sigillum a
little figure or image, a seal, dim. of signum a mark, sign,
figure, or image. See Sign, n., and cf. Sigil.]
1. An engraved or inscribed stamp, used for marking an
impression in wax or other soft substance, to be attached
to a document, or otherwise used by way of authentication
or security.
2. Wax, wafer, or other tenacious substance, set to an
instrument, and impressed or stamped with a seal; as, to
give a deed under hand and seal.
Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond Thou
but offend;st thy lungs to speak so loud. --Shak.
3. That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed
on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it.
4. That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which
authenticates; that which secures; assurance. ``under the
seal of silence.'' --Milton.
Like a red seal is the setting sun On the good and
the evil men have done. --Lonfellow.
5. An arrangement for preventing the entrance or return of
gas or air into a pipe, by which the open end of the pipe
dips beneath the surface of water or other liquid, or a
deep bend or sag in the pipe is filled with the liquid; a
draintrap.
Great seal. See under Great.
Privy seal. See under Privy, a.
Seal lock, a lock in which the keyhole is covered by a seal
in such a way that the lock can not be opened without
rupturing the seal.
Seal manual. See under Manual, a.
Seal ring, a ring having a seal engraved on it, or
ornamented with a device resembling a seal; a signet ring.
--Shak.
Seal, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sealed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Skaling.] [OE. selen; cf. OF. seeler, seieler, F. sceller,
LL. sigillare. See Seal a stamp.]
1. To set or affix a seal to; hence, to authenticate; to
confirm; to ratify; to establish; as, to seal a deed.
And with my hand I seal my true heart's love.
--Shak.
2. To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard
exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality; as, to
seal weights and measures; to seal silverware.
3. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer,
wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a
letter.
4. Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep
secure or secret.
Seal up your lips, and give no words but ``mum''.
--Shak.
5. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement,
plaster, or the like. --Gwilt.
6. To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with
water. See 2d Seal, 5.
7. Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or
additional wife. [Utah, U.S.]
If a man once married desires a second helpmate . .
. she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of
the church. --H.
Stansbury.
Seal, v. i.
To affix one's seal, or a seal. [Obs.]
I will seal unto this bond. --Shak.
Synonyms: cachet, seal of approval, sealing wax, sealskin, stamp, varnish
Antonyms: unseal
See Also: accolade, affix, award, break seal, bulla, cachet, calk, caulk, close, coat, coat, coating, crabeater seal, crab-eating seal, decide, determine, device, eared seal, earless seal, fasten, fastener, fastening, fill, fill up, fix, fixing, fur, gasket, great seal, hair seal, handstamp, holdfast, honor, honour, hunt, hunt down, impression, lac, lacquer, laurels, make up one's mind, pack, pelt, pinnatiped, pinniped, pinniped mammal, piston ring, reseal, rubber stamp, run, secure, shellac, shut, signet, stamp, stick on, surface, track down, true seal, undercoat, underseal, washer, waterproof
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