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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond
Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which authenticates; that which secures; assurance. “Under the seal of silence.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like a red seal is the setting sun
On the good and the evil men have done. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

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 ]

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

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

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

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

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