seal, seel, sele

t. & i. [SEAL (2), s.] A. Transitive: I. Ordinary Language: 1. Literally: (1) To set or affix a seal to; to stamp or impre with a seal, as a mark of authenticity or execution. (2) To fasten or secure with some material stamped with a seal; to fasten securely, as with wax, a wafer, or the like. "Her letter now is sealed." Shakesp .: Rape of Lucrece, 1,331. (3) To stamp or mark with some official stamp or mark as an evidence of standard exactne , legal size, or merchantable quality. "She brought stone jugs, and no seal'd quarts." Shakesp.: Taming of the Shrew. (Ind. ii.) 2. Figuratively : (1) To confirm, to ratify, to sanction, to attest, to establish. " Seal the title with a lovely ki ." Shakesp.: Taming of the Shrew , iii. 2. (2) To attest, to bear witne to. "One in fire, and two in field, Their belief with blood have seal'd." Byron: Prisoner of Chillon, v. 1. (3) To shut or close up. "Pleasing sleep had sealed each mortal eye." Pope: Homer's Iliad, ii. 1. *(4) To confine, to shut up; to imprison. "Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chained, And seal thee so." Milton: P. L. , iv. 966. (5) To shut or keep close or secret. (Frequently with up .) " Seal up your lips, and give no words, but-mum." Shakesp.: Henry VI., Pt. II., i. 2. (6) Among the Mormons and some other polygamous sects, to take to one's self, or to a ign to another, as a second or additional wife. II. Technically : 1. Build.: To fix or secure in a wall or other surface, by means of mortar, cement, plaster, or the like. 2. Hydraul.: To prevent the flow or reflux, as of air or gas, as in a pipe, by means of carrying the end of the inlet or exit pipe below the level of the liquid. *B. In trans.: To affix one's seal. "I'll seal to such a bond." Shakesp.: Merchant of Venice, i. 3. sealed, pa. par. or a. [SEAL, v.] *sealed-earth, s. Terra sigillata , an old name for medicinal earths, which were made up in cakos and stamped or sealed. (1) The principal seal of any kingdom or state. (2) The seal used for the kingdom of Great Brit- ain, and sometimes for Ireland, in sealing public papers of great moment; as, writs to summon Par-- Bacon : Works, i. 427. liament, treaties with other countries, . The Great Seal is in the custody of the Lord Chancellor, is engaged in seal-fishing. or Lord Keeper (as he was formerly called), whose office is conferre! by its delivery into his hands. Hence often used, as in the example, for the Chan- cell or ship. "It was immediately notified to Jeffreys that he might expect the great seal as the reward of faithful and vigor- ous service." -Macaulay : Hist . Eng ., ch. v. 2. Privy Seal : (1) The same as PRIVY-SEAL (1). [PRIVY.] (2) In England the principal Secretary of State, or person intrusted with the Privy-seal. His proper sealgh 8. One who closes or seals up. "Season of my purest pleasure, Sealer of observing eyes!" Cowper: Watching unto God , No. 2.