Seal
Pronunciation
- enPR: sÄ“l, IPA: /siËl/
- Rhymes: -iËl
Origin 1
Middle English sele, from an inflectional form of Old English seolh, from Proto-Germanic *selhaz (compare North Frisian selich, Middle Dutch seel, zēle, Old High German selah, Danish sæl, Middle Low German sale), either from Proto-Indo-European *selk, *solk 'to pull' (compare dialectal English sullow 'plough') or from *šülke (compare dialectal Finnish hylki, standard hylje, Estonian hüljes). More at sullow.
Noun
seal
(plural seals)- A pinniped, particularly an earless seal (true seal) or eared seal.The seals in the harbor looked better than they smelled.
Hyponyms
Derived terms
Full definition of seal
Verb
- (intransitive) To hunt seals.They're organizing a protest against sealing.
Synonyms
- (hunt seals) go sealing
Origin 2
From Anglo-Norman, from Old French seel, from Latin sigillum, a diminutive of signum ("sign")
Noun
seal
(plural seals)- A stamp used to impress a design on a soft substance such as wax.
- An impression of a stamp on wax or paper.
- A design or insignia usually associated with an organization or an official role.The front of the podium bore the presidential seal.
- Anything that secures or authenticates.
- Something which will be visibly damaged if a covering or container is opened, and which may or may not bear an official design.The result was declared invalid, as the seal on the meter had been broken.
- Confirmation or an indication of confirmation.Her clothes always had her mom's seal of approval.
- Something designed to prevent liquids or gases from leaking through a joint.The canister is leaking. I think the main seal needs to be replaced.
- A tight closure, secure against leakage.Close the lid tightly to get a good seal.
- A chakra.
Derived terms
termsVerb
- (transitive) To place a seal on (a document).
- To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality.to seal weights and measures; to seal silverware
- (transitive) To fasten (something) so that it cannot be opened without visible damage.The cover is sealed. If anyone tries to open it, we'll know about it.
- (transitive) To prevent people or vehicles from crossing (something).The border has been sealed until the fugitives are found.
- (transitive) To close securely to prevent leakage.I've sealed the bottle to keep the contents fresh.
- ShakespeareSeal up your lips, and give no words but "mum".
- (transitive) To place in a sealed container.I've sealed the documents in this envelope.
- (transitive, chess) To place a notation of one's next move in a sealed envelope to be opened after an adjournment.After thinking for half an hour, the champion sealed his move.
- (transitive) To guarantee.The last-minute goal sealed United's win.
- To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement or plaster, etc.
- To close by means of a seal.to seal a drainpipe with water
- (Mormonism) To confirm or set apart as a second or additional wife.
- H. StansburyIf a man once married desires a second helpmate ... she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of the church.
Synonyms
Derived terms
termsOrigin 3
From Old English sǣlan ("to bind").
Verb
- (dialectal) To tie up animals (especially cattle) in their stalls.