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}