seal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
    sealing wax.
  2. noun a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
    stamp.
  3. noun the pelt or fur (especially the underfur) of a seal
    sealskin.
    • a coat of seal
  4. noun a member of a Naval Special Warfare unit who is trained for unconventional warfare
    Navy SEAL.
    • SEAL is an acronym for Sea Air and Land
  5. noun a stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it)
    • the warrant bore the sheriff's seal
  6. noun an indication of approved or superior status
    cachet; seal of approval.
  7. noun a finishing coat applied to exclude moisture
  8. noun fastener that provides a tight and perfect closure
  9. noun any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions
  10. verb make tight; secure against leakage
    seal off.
    • seal the windows
  11. verb close with or as if with a seal
    • She sealed the letter with hot wax
  12. verb decide irrevocably
    • sealing dooms
  13. verb affix a seal to
    • seal the letter
  14. verb cover with varnish
    varnish.
  15. verb hunt seals

WordNet

Seal noun
Etymology
OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG. selah, Dan. sæl, Sw. själ, Icel. selr.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Phocidæ and Otariidæ. ✍ 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 foetida), 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.
Seal noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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. Shak.
Seal transitive verb
Etymology
OE. selen; cf. OF. seeler, seieler, F. sceller, LL. sigillare. See Seal a stamp.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Sealed ; present participle & verbal noun Skaling
Definitions
  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 intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To affix one's seal, or a seal. Obs.
    I will seal unto this bond. Shak.

Webster 1913