1. [n]  any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions
2. [n]  a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
3. [n]  fastener that provides a tight and perfect closure
4. [n]  a finishing coat applied to exclude moisture
5. [n]  fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
6. [n]  an indication of approved or superior status
7. [n]  a stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it); "the warrant bore the sheriff's seal"
8. [n]  the pelt or fur (especially the underfur) of a seal; "a coat of seal"
9. [v]  hunt seals
10. [v]  decide irrevocably; "sealing dooms"
11. [v]  cover with varnish
12. [v]  close with or as if with a seal; "She sealed the letter with hot wax"
13. [v]  make tight; secure against leakage; "seal the windows"
14. [v]  affix a seal to

Seal
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1. \Seal\ (s[=e]l), n. [OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG.
   selah, Dan. s[ae]l, Sw. sj["a]l, Icel. selr.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families {Phocid[ae]}
   and {Otariid[ae]}.
   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
         crustata}), and the ringed seal ({Phoca f[oe]tida}),
         are northern species. See also {Eared seal}, {Harp
         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.
   {Harbor seal} (Zo["o]l.), 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}.
   

2. \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.
   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.
            Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond Thou
            but offend;st thy lungs to speak so loud. --Shak.
   3. That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed
      on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it.
   4. That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which
      authenticates; that which secures; assurance. ``under the
      seal of silence.'' --Milton.
            Like a red seal is the setting sun On the good and
            the evil men have done.               --Lonfellow.
   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.
   {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.
   

3. \Seal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sealed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Skaling}.] [OE. selen; cf. OF. seeler, seieler, F. sceller,
   LL. sigillare. See {Seal} a stamp.]
   1. To set or affix a seal to; hence, to authenticate; to
      confirm; to ratify; to establish; as, to seal a deed.
            And with my hand I seal my true heart's love.
                                                  --Shak.
   2. To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard
      exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality; as, to
      seal weights and measures; to seal silverware.
   3. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer,
      wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a
      letter.
   4. Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep
      secure or secret.
            Seal up your lips, and give no words but ``mum''.
                                                  --Shak.
   5. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement,
      plaster, or the like. --Gwilt.
   6. To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with
      water. See 2d {Seal}, 5.
   7. Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or
      additional wife. [Utah, U.S.]
            If a man once married desires a second helpmate . .
            . she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of
            the church.                           --H.
                                                  Stansbury.
   

4. \Seal\, v. i.
   To affix one's seal, or a seal. [Obs.]
         I will seal unto this bond.              --Shak.
   

Semantics-directed Environment Adaptation Language.

commonly a ring engraved with some device (Gen. 38:18, 25). Jezebel "wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal" (1 Kings 21:8). Seals are frequently mentioned in Jewish history (Deut. 32:34; Neh. 9:38; 10:1; Esther 3:12; Cant. 8:6; Isa. 8:16; Jer. 22:24; 32:44, etc.). Sealing a document was equivalent to the signature of the owner of the seal. "The use of a signet-ring by the monarch has recently received a remarkable illustration by the discovery of an impression of such a signet on fine clay at Koyunjik, the site of the ancient Nineveh. This seal appears to have been impressed from the bezel of a metallic finger-ring. It is an oval, 2 inches in length by 1 inch wide, and bears the image, name, and titles of the Egyptian king Sabaco" (Rawlinson's Hist. Illus. of the O.T., p. 46). The actual signet-rings of two Egyptian kings (Cheops and Horus) have been discovered. (See SIGNET.)

The use of seals is mentioned in the New Testament only in connection with the record of our Lord's burial (Matt. 27:66). The tomb was sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests for the purpose of making sure that the disciples would not come and steal the body away (ver. 63, 64). The mode of doing this was probably by stretching a cord across the stone and sealing it at both ends with sealing-clay. When God is said to have sealed the Redeemer, the meaning is, that he has attested his divine mission (John 6:27). Circumcision is a seal, an attestation of the covenant (Rom. 4:11). Believers are sealed with the Spirit, as God's mark put upon them (Eph. 1:13; 4:30). Converts are by Paul styled the seal of his apostleship, i.e., they are its attestation (1 Cor. 9:2). Seals and sealing are frequently mentioned in the book of Revelation (5:1; 6:1; 7:3; 10:4; 22:10).