Webster's English Dictionary

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seal

1. seal \'se-(*)l\ n or seals also seal [ME sele, fr. OE seolh; akin to OHG 
   selah seal] pl  1: any of numerous marine aquatic carnivorous mammals 
   (families Phocidae an d Otariidae) chiefly of cold regions with limbs 
   modified into webbed flippers adapted primarily to swimming; esp : one 
   (family Otariidae) valued for its soft dense underfur 2a: the pelt of a fur 
   seal  2b: leather made from the skin of a seal  3: a dark grayish yellowish 
   brown 
2. seal vi : to hunt seals 
3. seal n [ME seel, fr. OF, fr. L sigillum seal, fr. dim. of signum sig]n, 
   seal 1a: something that confirms, ratifies, or makes secure : GUARANTEE,  
   ASSURANCE 1b1: a device with a cut or raised emblem, symbol, or word used 
   to certify  a signature or authenticate a document 1b2: a medallion or ring 
   face bearing such a device incised so that it can  be impressed on wax or 
   moist clay; also : a piece of wax or a wafer bearing such an impression 1c: 
   an impression, device, or mark given the effect of a common-law seal by  
   statute law or by American local custom recognized by judicial decision 1d: 
   an adhesive stamp given in fund-raising campaigns  2a: something that 
   secures (as a wax seal on a document)  2b: a closure that must be broken to 
   be opened and that thus reveals tamper ing 2c1: a tight and perfect closure 
   (as against the passage of gas or water)  2c2: a device to prevent the 
   passage or return of gas or air into a pipe or  container chiefly Brit  3: 
   a seal that is a symbol or mark of office  : with an authenticating seal 
   affixed  - under seal 
4. seal vt 1a: to confirm or make secure by or as if by a seal  1b: to 
   solemnize for eternity (as a marriage or an adoption of a child) by  a 
   Mormon rite 2a: to set or affix an authenticating seal to; also : AUTHENTIC 
   ATE, RATIFY 2b: to mark with a stamp usu. as an evidence of standard 
   exactness, legal  size, weight, or capacity, or merchantable quality 3a: to 
   fasten with or as if with a seal to prevent tampering  3b: to secure with a 
   closure against access or leakage  3c: to make fast with cement or plaster  
   4: to determine irrevocably or indisputably {this answer ~ed  our fate}