SEAL | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Middle English (in seal (sense 2 of the noun)): from Old French seel (noun), seeler (verb), from Latin sigillum ‘small picture’, diminutive of signum ‘a sign’

a device or substance that is used to join two things together so as to prevent them from coming apart or to prevent anything from passing between them

device or substance that is used to join two things together so as to prevent them coming apart or to prevent anything passing between them

• attach a draught seal to the door itself

a piece of wax, lead, or other material with an individual design stamped into it, attached to a document as a guarantee of authenticity.

piece of wax, lead, or other material with individual design stamped into it, attached to document as guarantee of authenticity

a thing regarded as a confirmation or guarantee of something

thing regarded as confirmation or guarantee of something

• the monarchy is the seal of the unbroached integrity of the Isles

the obligation on a priest not to divulge anything said during confession

obligation on priest not to divulge anything said during confession

• I was told under the seal

fasten or close securely

fasten or close securely

• he folded it, sealed the envelope, and walked to the postbox

apply a non-porous coating to (a surface) to make it impervious

apply non-porous coating to surface

• the pine boarding should be sealed with polyurethane

fry (food) briefly at a high temperature to prevent it from losing moisture during subsequent cooking

fry food briefly at high temperature

• heat the oil and seal the lamb on both sides

conclude, establish, or secure (something) definitively

conclude, establish, or secure something definitively

• to seal the deal he offered Thornton a place on the board of the company

fix a piece of wax or lead stamped with a design to (a document) to authenticate it.

fix piece of wax or lead stamped with design