Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Seal?

\Seal\ (s[=e]l), n. [OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG. selah, Dan. s[ae]l, Sw. sj["a]l, Icel. selr.] (Zo["o]l.) Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families {Phocid[ae]} and {Otariid[ae]}. 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 crustata}), and the ringed seal ({Phoca f[oe]tida}), are northern species. See also {Eared seal}, {Harp 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. {Harbor seal} (Zo["o]l.), 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}.
\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. 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. Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond Thou but offend;st thy lungs to speak so loud. --Shak. 3. That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it. 4. That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which authenticates; that which secures; assurance. ``under the seal of silence.'' --Milton. Like a red seal is the setting sun On the good and the evil men have done. --Lonfellow. 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. {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.
\Seal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sealed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Skaling}.] [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. And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. --Shak. 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. 3. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a letter. 4. Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep secure or secret. Seal up your lips, and give no words but ``mum''. --Shak. 5. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or the like. --Gwilt. 6. To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with water. See 2d {Seal}, 5. 7. Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or additional wife. [Utah, U.S.] If a man once married desires a second helpmate . . . she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of the church. --H. Stansbury.
\Seal\, v. i. To affix one's seal, or a seal. [Obs.] I will seal unto this bond. --Shak.