from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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