- a design, initial, or other device placed on a letter, document, etc., as a mark of genuineness or authenticity: letters were, esp. formerly, closed with a wafer of molten wax into which was pressed the distinctive seal of the sender
- a stamp, signet ring, etc., or the signet itself, used in making such a design
- a wax wafer, piece of paper, etc. bearing the impression of some official design and used as to authenticate a signature or document
- something that seals, closes, or fastens tightly or securely; specif., a piece of metal, paper, etc. so placed over a lid, cap, etc. that it must be broken before the container can be opened
- a tight closure, as against the passage of air or water
- anything that confirms, authenticates, or guarantees; pledge
- an indication; sign; token: a handshake as a seal of friendship
- the standing water in the trap of a drainpipe, that seals off sewer gases
- an ornamental stamp placed on envelopes, packages, etc.: a Christmas seal
Origin of seal
Middle English seel from Old French from Classical Latin sigillum, a seal, mark, diminutive of signum: see sign- to mark with a seal; fix a seal to
- to secure the contents of (a letter, envelope, etc.), orig. by closing with a sealed wax wafer, now usually with mucilage, tape, or a gummed flap
- to confirm or authenticate (a document, etc.) by marking with a seal
- to attest to or confirm the truth or genuineness of (a promise, bargain, etc.)
- to certify as being accurate, exact, of a given size, quality, capacity, etc. by fixing a stamp or seal to
- to grant, assign, or designate with a seal, pledge, etc.
- to settle, determine, or decide finally or irrevocably: to seal one's fate
- to close, shut, or fasten with or as with a seal
- to close completely so as to make airtight or watertight
- to apply a nonpermeable coating to (a porous surface, as of wood) as before painting
- Elec. to bring (a plug and jack) into full, interlocking contact
- Law to bar public examination of: to seal the transcript of the testimony
- Mormon Ch. to solemnize (a marriage) for eternity in a church rite
Origin of seal
ME selen < OFr seeler < the n.seal Idioms
seal off
- to close completely
- to enclose or surround (an area, etc.) with barriers, a cordon, etc.
set one's seal to
- to mark with one's seal
- to endorse; approve
under (one's) seal
in a document authenticated by one's seal
