Collins English-English Dictionary

seal [siːl]

1. 1. n a device impressed on a piece of wax, moist clay, etc, fixed to a letter, document, etc, as a mark of authentication

2. 2. n [RC Church] seal of confession the obligation never to reveal anything said by a penitent in confession

3. 3. n a stamp, ring, etc, engraved with a device to form such an impression

4. 4. n a substance, esp wax, so placed over an envelope, document, etc, that it must be broken before the object can be opened or used

5. 5. n any substance or device used to close or fasten tightly

6. 6. n a material, such as putty or cement, that is used to close an opening to prevent the passage of air, water, etc

7. 7. n a small amount of water contained in the trap of a drain to prevent the passage of foul smells

8. 8. n an agent or device for keeping something hidden or secret

9. 9. n anything that gives a pledge or confirmation

10. 10. n a decorative stamp often sold in aid of charity

11. 11. vt. [tr] to affix a seal to, as proof of authenticity

12. 12. vt. to stamp with or as if with a seal

13. 13. vt. to approve or authorize

14. 14. vt. [sometimes foll by up] to close or secure with or as if with a seal

    to seal one's lips

    seal up a letter

15. 15. vt. [foll by off] to enclose (a place) with a fence, wall, etc

16. 16. vt. to decide irrevocably

17. 17. vt. [Mormon Church] to make (a marriage or adoption) perpetually binding

18. 18. vt. to close tightly so as to render airtight or watertight

19. 19. vt. to paint (a porous material) with a nonporous coating

20. 20. vt. [Austral and NZ] to consolidate (a road surface) with bitumen, tar, etc

21. 21. vt. [Etymology] C13 seel, from Old French, from Latin sigillum little figure, from signum a sign

seal [siːl]

1. 1. n any pinniped mammal of the families Otariidae (eared seals) and Phocidae (earless seals) that are aquatic but come on shore to breed seals) and Phocidae (earless seals) that are aquatic but come on shore to breed - See eared seal earless seal

2. 2. n any earless seal (family Phocidae), esp the common or harbour seal or the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)

3. 3. n sealskin

4. 4. vi. [intr] to hunt for seals

5. 5. vi. [Etymology] Old English seolh; related to Old Norse selr, Old High German selah, Old Irish selige tortoise