See Also: COMMON SEAL, A seal used by a corporation(law)
oil seal(encyclopedia)
SEAL(dictionary)
seal(encyclopedia)
fur seal(encyclopedia)
seal(1)(dictionary)
seal(2)(dictionary)
seal(3)(dictionary)
seal(4)(dictionary)
tar-seal(dictionary)

seal(4) (iou)



seal verb1. [si:l] ME.
[Old French seeler (mod. sceller), from seel SEAL noun2.]
I.
verb trans. Affix a seal to (a document) as evidence of genuineness, or as a mark of authoritative ratification or approval; authenticate or attest solemnly by some comparable act. ME.
signed, sealed, and delivered.
verb trans. Mark by a seal as reserved for a particular destination. Chiefly fig., designate or set apart by an inviolable token or pledge. Foll. by to a person, for a destination or purpose. arch. ME.
verb intrans. Affix a seal to a document. Formerly also, set one's seal to, lend one's support or authority to. LME.
b. Become security for a person. Also foll. by under. E16-M17.
verb trans. Impress a seal on or stamp officially to indicate correctness or approval; certify with a stamp or seal. Now rare. LME.
verb trans. Conclude or ratify (an agreement, bargain, etc.) by affixing the seals of the parties to the instrument, or by some ceremonial act. L15.
G. F. Kennan The Treaty..which sealed Russia's withdrawal from the war. M. Keane The little drink seemed to seal their easy companionship.
verb trans. Impose (an obligation, a penalty) on a person in a binding manner. rare. E17.
verb trans. Provide authentication, ratification, or confirmation of. M17.
verb trans. Decide irrevocably (the fate of a person or thing); complete and place beyond dispute or reversal (a victory, defeat, etc.). E19.
A. Brookner He seemed to have sealed his fate.
II.
verb trans. Fasten (a folded letter or other document) with melted wax or some other plastic or adhesive substance so that opening is impossible without breaking the seal; fasten up (a letter, parcel, etc.) with sealing-wax, gum, etc. ME.
C. McCullough An envelope..which she sealed with red wax.
verb trans. Close securely by or as by placing a seal on the opening of; make airtight or watertight with a seal. Also foll. by up. ME.
Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet Searchers of the town Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth. K. Mansfield Houses were sealed..behind big wooden shutters. D. Lessing Underground were shelters, sealed against radiation.
b. Surgery. Close up (a wound) with a covering that is not removed until healing has taken place. M19.
c. Make (a surface of wood etc.) impervious by the application of a special coating. M20.
Practical Householder Sand all the table..and seal with several coats of polyurethane.
d. Prevent access to and egress from (an area or space), esp. as a security measure; close (entrances) for this purpose. Usu. foll. by off. M20.
M. Innes This cellarage had..been..sealed off from the studio. A. Fraser Ports had been sealed..to stop the intelligence reaching the Continent.
e. Surface (a road) with tarmacadam. Chiefly Austral. & NZ. M20.
verb trans. Place in a receptacle secured by a seal; enclose within impenetrable barriers; confine so as to prevent access or egress. Also foll. by off, up. LME.
R. Graves To seal it up in a casket.
verb trans. Fasten on or down with or as with wax, cement, or some other adhesive substance. M17.
Phrases: seal a person's lips bind or constrain a person to silence or secrecy. seal one's testimony with blood, seal one's testimony with one's blood: see TESTIMONY noun 3.
sealable adjective (a) able or requiring to be sealed; (b) suitable for use in sealing: L15.