Seal

11 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Seal \Seal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sealed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Sealing}.] [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.
        [1913 Webster]


  
              And with my hand I seal my true heart's love.
                                                    --Shak.
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     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.
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     3. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer,
        wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a
        letter.
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     4. Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep
        secure or secret.
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              Seal up your lips, and give no words but "mum".
                                                    --Shak.
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     5. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement,
        plaster, or the like. --Gwilt.
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     6. To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with
        water. See 2d {Seal}, 5.
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     7. Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or
        additional wife. [Utah, U.S.]
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              If a man once married desires a second helpmate . .
              . she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of
              the church.                           --H.
                                                    Stansbury.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Seal \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.
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     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.
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              Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond
              Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud.
                                                    --Shak.
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     3. That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed
        on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it.
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     4. That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which
        authenticates; that which secures; assurance. "Under the
        seal of silence." --Milton.
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              Like a red seal is the setting sun
              On the good and the evil men have done.
                                                    --Longfellow.
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     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.
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     {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.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Seal \Seal\ (s[=e]l), n. [OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG.
     selah, Dan. sael, Sw. sj[aum]l, Icel. selr.] (Zool.)
     Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families {Phocidae} and
     {Otariidae}.
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     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
           cristata}), and the ringed seal ({Phoca foetida}), are
           northern species. See also {Eared seal}, {Harp seal},
           {Monk 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.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     {Harbor seal} (Zool.), 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}.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Seal \Seal\, v. i.
     To affix one's seal, or a seal. [Obs.]
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           I will seal unto this bond.              --Shak.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

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

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  428 Moby Thesaurus words for "seal":
     John Hancock, OK, X, accept, acceptance, accredit, affirm,
     affirmance, affirmation, agree on terms, amen, approbation,
     approval, approve, aroma, assurance, assure, attest, attestation,
     attribute, authenticate, authentication, authorization, authorize,
     autograph, badge, bang, banner, bar, barricade, batten,
     batten down, bearing, beige, billhead, blaze, blaze a trail,
     blemish, blotch, bolt, book stamp, bookplate, boss, brand,
     broad arrow, brown, brownish, brownish-yellow, brunet, bump, burin,
     button, button up, cachet, cap of dignity, cap of maintenance,
     cartouche, cast, casting, certification, certify, chalk, chalk up,
     character, characteristic, check, check off, chocolate, choke,
     choke off, christcross, cicatrize, cinnamon, cipher, clap, clinch,
     close, close off, close up, coat of arms, cocoa, cocoa-brown,
     coffee, coffee-brown, colophon, concavity, conclude, configuration,
     confirm, confirmation, constrict, contain, contract, convexity,
     cork, coronet, corroborate, corroboration, cosign, counterfoil,
     countermark, countersign, countersignature, counterstamp, cover,
     crest, cross, crown, cut, dactylogram, dactylograph, dapple, dash,
     decide, define, delimit, demarcate, dent, design, determine,
     device, diadem, die, differentia, differential, dint, discolor,
     distinctive feature, docket, dot, drab, dun, dun-brown, dun-drab,
     earmark, ecru, emblem, embossment, endorse, endorsement, engrave,
     engraving tool, ensure, ermine, escutcheon, etching ball,
     etching ground, etching needle, etching point, evidence,
     excrescence, fasten, fawn, fawn-colored, feature, figure,
     fingerprint, fix, flavor, fleck, fold, fold up, footmark,
     footprint, footstep, form, formalize, fossil footprint, freckle,
     fuscous, gash, give permission, give the go-ahead,
     give the imprimatur, give thumbs up, go-ahead, government mark,
     government stamp, graver, great seal, green light, grege,
     guarantee, guaranty, gust, hallmark, hand, hatch, hazel, ichnite,
     ichnolite, identification, idiocrasy, idiosyncrasy, image, impress,
     impression, imprimatur, imprint, indent, indentation, indention,
     index, indicant, indicator, individualism, initial, initials,
     insignia, intaglio, key, keynote, khaki, label, last, latch,
     letterhead, line, lineaments, lock, lock out, lock up, logo,
     logotype, lump, lurid, make a mark, mannerism, mark,
     mark of signature, mark off, mark out, marking, masthead, matrix,
     measure, mint, mold, molding, monogram, mottle, nature, needle,
     negative, nick, nod, notarization, notarize, notch, note, notice,
     notification, nut-brown, occlude, odor, okay, olive-brown,
     olive-drab, orb, pad, padlock, particularity, pass, pass on,
     pass upon, paw print, pawmark, peculiarity, pencil, pepper,
     permission, permit, picture, pimple, plate, plug up, plumb, point,
     price tag, prick, print, privy seal, property, pug, pugmark, punch,
     punctuate, puncture, purple, purple pall, purpose, quality, quirk,
     ratification, ratify, regalia, registered trademark,
     representation, representative, resolve, riddle, robe of state,
     rocker, rod, rod of empire, royal crown, rubber stamp,
     running head, running title, sanction, savor, say amen to, scar,
     scarify, scepter, score, scorper, scotch, scratch, seal off,
     seal up, seal-brown, seam, second, secure, sepia, settle,
     shake hands, shape, shoe last, shut, shut off, shut the door,
     shut up, sigil, sign, sign and seal, sign manual, signal,
     signature, signet, singularity, slam, smack, snap, snuff-colored,
     sorrel, specialty, speck, speckle, splotch, spot, squeeze shut,
     stain, stamp, stamp of approval, step, sticker, stigmatize,
     stop up, strangle, streak, striate, strike a bargain, stripe, stub,
     stud, style, subscribe to, subscription, substantiation, support,
     sure sign, swear and affirm, swear to, symbol, symptom, tab, tag,
     taint, take a resolution, tally, tan, tang, taste, tattoo, taupe,
     tawny, telltale sign, template, the nod, thumbmark, thumbprint,
     tiara, tick, tick off, ticket, title page, toast, toast-brown,
     token, trace, trade name, trademark, trademark name, trait, trick,
     triple plume, umber, umber-colored, underline, underscore,
     undersign, uraeus, validate, validation, verification, verify,
     vestige, visa, vise, walnut, walnut-brown, warrant, will,
     yellowish-brown, zip up, zipper
  
  

From Virtual Entity of Relevant Acronyms (Version 1.9, June 2002) [vera]:

  SEAL
       Simple and Efficient Adaptation Layer (ATM)
       
       

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  SEAL
       
          Semantics-directed Environment Adaptation Language.
       
          {(ftp://ftp.cwi.nl/pub/gipe/0092b.ps.Z)}.
       
       

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Seal
     commonly a ring engraved with some device (Gen. 38:18, 25).
     Jezebel "wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his
     seal" (1 Kings 21:8). Seals are frequently mentioned in Jewish
     history (Deut. 32:34; Neh. 9:38; 10:1; Esther 3:12; Cant. 8:6;
     Isa. 8:16; Jer. 22:24; 32:44, etc.). Sealing a document was
     equivalent to the signature of the owner of the seal. "The use
     of a signet-ring by the monarch has recently received a
     remarkable illustration by the discovery of an impression of
     such a signet on fine clay at Koyunjik, the site of the ancient
     Nineveh. This seal appears to have been impressed from the bezel
     of a metallic finger-ring. It is an oval, 2 inches in length by
     1 inch wide, and bears the image, name, and titles of the
     Egyptian king Sabaco" (Rawlinson's Hist. Illus. of the O.T., p.
     46). The actual signet-rings of two Egyptian kings (Cheops and
     Horus) have been discovered. (See {SIGNET}.)
     
       The use of seals is mentioned in the New Testament only in
     connection with the record of our Lord's burial (Matt. 27:66).
     The tomb was sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests for the
     purpose of making sure that the disciples would not come and
     steal the body away (ver. 63, 64). The mode of doing this was
     probably by stretching a cord across the stone and sealing it at
     both ends with sealing-clay. When God is said to have sealed the
     Redeemer, the meaning is, that he has attested his divine
     mission (John 6:27). Circumcision is a seal, an attestation of
     the covenant (Rom. 4:11). Believers are sealed with the Spirit,
     as God's mark put upon them (Eph. 1:13; 4:30). Converts are by
     Paul styled the seal of his apostleship, i.e., they are its
     attestation (1 Cor. 9:2). Seals and sealing are frequently
     mentioned in the book of Revelation (5:1; 6:1; 7:3; 10:4;
     22:10).
     

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  SEAL, conveyancing, contracts. A seal is an impression upon wax, wafer, or 
  some other tenacious substance capable of being impressed. 5 Johns. R. 239. 
  Lord Coke defines a seal to be wax, with an impression. 3 Inst. 169. 
  "Sigillum," says he, "est cera impressa, quia cera sine impressione non est 
  sigillum." This is the common law definition of a seal. Perk. 129, 134; Bro. 
  tit. Faits, 17, 30; 2 Leon 21; 5 John. 239; 2 Caines, R. 362; 21 Pick. R. 
  417. 
       2. But in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the southern and western states 
  generally, the impression upon wax has been disused, and a circular, oval, 
  or square mark, opposite the name of the signer, has the same effect as a 
  seal the shape of it however is indifferent; and it is usually written with 
  a pen. 2 Serg. & Rawle, 503; 1 Dall. 63; 1 Serg. & Rawle, 72; 1 Watts, R. 
  322; 2 Halst. R. 272. 
       3. A notary must use his official seal, to authenticate his official 
  acts, and a scroll will not answer. 4 Blackf. R. 185. As to the effects of a 
  seal, vide Phil. Ev. Index, h.t. Vide, generally, 13 Vin. Ab. 19; 4 Kent, 
  Com. 444; 7 Caines' Cas. 1; Com. Dig. Fait, A 2. 
       4. Merlin defines a real to be a plate of metal with a flat surface, on 
  which is engraved the arms of a prince or nation, or private individual or 
  other device, with which an impression may be made on wax or other substance 
  on paper or parchment, in order to authenticate them: the impression thus 
  made is also called a seal. Repert. mot Sceau; 3 McCord's R. 583; 5 Whart. 
  R. 563. 
       5. When a seal is affixed to an instrument, it makes it a specialty, 
  (q.v.) and whether the seal be affixed by a corporation or an individual the 
  effect is the same. 15 Wend. 256. 
       6. Where an instrument concludes with the words, "witness our hands and 
  seals," and is signed by two persons, with only one seal, the jury may 
  infer, from the face of the paper, that the person who signed last, adopted 
  the seal of the first. 6 Penn. St. Rep. 302. Vide 9 Am Jur. 290-297; 1 Ohio 
  Rep. 368; 3 John. 470. 12 ohu. 76; as to the origin and use of seals, Addis. 
  on Cont. 6; Scroll. 
       7. The public seal of a foreign state, proves itself; and public acts, 
  decrees and judgments, exemplified under this seal, are received as true and 
  genuine. 2 Cranch, 187, 238; 4 Dall. 416; 7 Wheat. 273, 335; 1 Denio, 376; 2 
  Conn. 85, 90; 6 Wend. 475; 9 Mod. 66. But to entitle its seal to such 
  authority, the foreign state must have been acknowledged by the government, 
  within whose jurisdiction the forum is located. 3 Wheat. 610; 9 Ves. 347. 
  
  

From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:

  SEAL, n.  A mark impressed upon certain kinds of documents to attest
  their authenticity and authority.  Sometimes it is stamped upon wax,
  and attached to the paper, sometimes into the paper itself.  Sealing,
  in this sense, is a survival of an ancient custom of inscribing
  important papers with cabalistic words or signs to give them a magical
  efficacy independent of the authority that they represent.  In the
  British museum are preserved many ancient papers, mostly of a
  sacerdotal character, validated by necromantic pentagrams and other
  devices, frequently initial letters of words to conjure with; and in
  many instances these are attached in the same way that seals are
  appended now.  As nearly every reasonless and apparently meaningless
  custom, rite or observance of modern times had origin in some remote
  utility, it is pleasing to note an example of ancient nonsense
  evolving in the process of ages into something really useful.  Our
  word "sincere" is derived from _sine cero_, without wax, but the
  learned are not in agreement as to whether this refers to the absence
  of the cabalistic signs, or to that of the wax with which letters were
  formerly closed from public scrutiny.  Either view of the matter will
  serve one in immediate need of an hypothesis.  The initials L.S.,
  commonly appended to signatures of legal documents, mean _locum
  sigillis_, the place of the seal, although the seal is no longer used
  -- an admirable example of conservatism distinguishing Man from the
  beasts that perish.  The words _locum sigillis_ are humbly suggested
  as a suitable motto for the Pribyloff Islands whenever they shall take
  their place as a sovereign State of the American Union.