-seal-

n. [ OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG. selah, Dan. sael, Sw. själ, Icel. selr. ] (Zool.) Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Phocidae and Otariidae. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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 ]

v. i. To affix one's seal, or a seal. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I will seal unto this bond. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a letter. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep secure or secret. [ 1913 Webster ]

Seal up your lips, and give no words but “mum”. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or the like. Gwilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with water. See 2d Seal, 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or additional wife. [ Utah, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If a man once married desires a second helpmate . . . she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of the church. H. Stansbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of a rich dark brown color, like the fur of the fur seal after it is dyed. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A mariner or a vessel engaged in the business of capturing seals. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who seals; especially, an officer whose duty it is to seal writs or instruments, to stamp weights and measures, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

A compound of the resinous materials, pigments, etc., used as a material for seals, as for letters, documents, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]