I. ˈsēl noun
( plural seals also seal )
Etymology: Middle English sele, from Old English seolh; akin to Old High German selah seal
Date: before 12th century
1. : any of numerous carnivorous marine mammals (families Phocidae and Otariidae) that live chiefly in cold regions and have limbs modified into webbed flippers adapted primarily to swimming ; especially : a fur seal or hair seal as opposed to a sea lion
2.
a. : the pelt of a fur seal
b. : leather made from the skin of a seal
3. : a dark brown
II. intransitive verb
Date: 1828
: to hunt seals
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English sele, seel, from Anglo-French seal, sel, from Latin sigillum seal, from diminutive of signum sign, seal — more at sign
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : something that confirms, ratifies, or makes secure : guarantee , assurance
b.
(1) : a device with a cut or raised emblem, symbol, or word used especially to certify a signature or authenticate a document
(2) : a medallion or ring face bearing such a device incised so that it can be impressed on wax or moist clay ; also : a piece of wax or a wafer bearing such an impression
c. : an impression, device, or mark given the effect of a common-law seal by statute law or by American local custom recognized by judicial decision
d. : a usually ornamental adhesive stamp that may be used to close a letter or package ; especially : one given in a fund-raising campaign
2.
a. : something that secures (as a wax seal on a document)
b. : a closure that must be broken to be opened and that thus reveals tampering
c.
(1) : a tight and perfect closure (as against the passage of gas or water)
(2) : a device to prevent the passage or return of gas or air into a pipe or container
3. : a seal that is a symbol or mark of office
•
- under seal
IV. transitive verb
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : to confirm or make secure by or as if by a seal
seal the deal
b. : to solemnize for eternity (as a marriage) by a Mormon rite
2.
a. : to set or affix an authenticating seal to ; also : authenticate , ratify
b. : to mark with a stamp or seal usually as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, weight, or capacity, or merchantable quality
3.
a. : to fasten with or as if with a seal to prevent tampering
b. : to close or make secure against access, leakage, or passage by a fastening or coating
c. : to fix in position or close breaks in with a filling (as of plaster)
4. : to determine irrevocably or indisputably
that answer seal ed our fate