from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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}.
[1913 Webster]
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]