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n. 1. a. A device or material that is used to close off or fasten an opening or connection, especially to prevent the escape of a liquid or gas: used caulk as a seal around the window. b. An airtight closure: a door that lacks a tight seal. c. Something, such as a piece of tape, that is placed on a product or package to show that the contents have not been tampered with. d. The water in the trap of a drain that prevents sewer gas from escaping into a room. 2. a. A design used to identify a person or thing or to show that something is authentic, accurate, or of good quality: The title page is marked with the publisher's seal. Does the scale have the inspector's seal? b. A small decorative paper sticker. 3. a. A die or signet having a raised or incised emblem used to stamp an impression on a receptive substance such as wax or lead. b. The impression so made. c. The design or emblem itself, belonging exclusively to the user: a monarch's seal. d. A small disk or wafer of wax, lead, or paper bearing such an imprint and affixed to a document to prove authenticity or to secure it. 4. An indication or symbol regarded as guaranteeing or authenticating something: The choral director gave the program his seal of approval. tr.v. sealed, seal·ing, seals Idioms: 1. a. To close or fasten with a seal: seal an envelope; seal a test tube. b. To prevent (a liquid or gas) from escaping: Charring a piece of meat seals in the juices. c. To cover, secure, or fill up (an opening): sealed the hole in the pipe with epoxy. d. To apply a waterproof coating to: seal a blacktop driveway. e. To secure or prevent passage into and out of (an area). Often used with off: The police sealed off the crime scene. 2. To affix a seal to (something) in order to prove authenticity, accuracy, or quality. 3. To establish or determine irrevocably: Our fate was sealed. 4. Mormon Church To make (a marriage, for example) eternally binding; solemnize forever. (one's) lips are sealed Used to indicate that one will not disclose a piece of information. under seal Having an impression or emblem attesting to a document's authenticity and reliability. [Middle English, die or signet for stamping an impression, from Old French seel, from Vulgar Latin *sigellum, from Latin sigillum, diminutive of signum, sign, seal; see sekw-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] seala·ble adj. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
