SEAL, n. The common name for the species of the genus Phoca. These animals are ampibious, most of the inhabiting the sea coasts, particularly in the higher latitudes. They have six cutting teeth in the upper jaw, and four in the lower. Their hind feet are placed at the extremity of the body, in the same diretion with it, and serve the purpose of a caudal fin; the fore feet are also adapted for swimming, and furmished each with five claws; the external ears are either very small or wanting. There are numerous species; as the leonina, sometimes 18 feet in length, and the jubata, sometimes 25 feet in length, with a name like a lion, both called sea-lion, and found in the southern seas, and alo in the N. Pacific; the ursina, or sea bear, 8 or 9 feet in length, and covered with long, thick bristly hair, found in the N. Pacifac; and the common seal frome 4 to 6 feet in length, found generally throughout the Atlantic and the seas and bays communicating with it, covered with short, stiff, glossy hair, with a smooth head without external ears, and with the fore legs deeply immersed in the skin. Seals are much sought after for their skins and fur.

SEAL, n. [L. sigillum.]

1. A piece of metal or other hard substance, usually round or oval, on which is ingraved some image or device, and sometimes a legend or inscription. This is used by idividuals, corporate bodies and states, for making impressions on wax upon instuments of writing, as an evidence of their authenticity. The king of England has his seal and his privy seal. Seals are sometimes worn in rings.

The common name for the species of the genus Phoca. These animals are amphibious, most of them inhabiting the sea coasts, particularly in the higher latitudes. They have six cutting teeth in the upper jaw, and four in the lower. Their hind feet are placed at the extremity of the body, in the same direction with it, and serve the purpose of a caudal fin; the fore feet are also adapted for swimming, and furnished each with five claws; the external ears are either very small or wanting. There are numerous species; as the leonina, sometimes 18 feet in length, and the jubata, sometimes 25 feet in length, with a mane like a lion, both called sea-lion, and found in the southern seas, and also in the N. Pacific; the ursina, or sea-bear, 8 or 9 feet in length, and covered with long thick and bristly hair, found in the N. Pacific; and the common seal [P. vitulina,] from four to six feet in length, found generally throughout the Atlantic and the seas and bays communicating with it, covered with short, stiff, glossy hair, with a smooth head without external ears, and with the fore legs deeply immersed in the skin. Seals are much sought after for their skins and fur. – Ed. Encyc. Encyc.

1. A piece of metal or other hard substance, usually round or oval, on which is engraved some image or device, and sometimes a legend or inscription. This is used by individuals, corporate bodies, and states, for making impressions on wax upon instruments of writing, as an evidence of their authenticity. The king of England has his great seal and his privy seal. Seals are sometimes worn in rings.
2. The wax set to an instrument, and impressed or stamped with a seal. Thus we give a deed under hand and seal. Wax is generally used in sealing instruments, but other substances may be used.
3. The wax or wafer that makes fast a letter or other paper.
4. Any act of confirmation. – Milton.
5. That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; assurance. – 2 Tim. ii.
6. That which effectually shuts, confines, or secures; that which makes fast. – Rev. xx.

To fix a seal. I will seal unto this bond. [Unusual.] – Shak.

1. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, or with wax; as, to seal a letter.
2. To set or affix a seal as a mark of authenticity; as, to seal a deed. Hence,
3. To confirm; to ratify; to establish. And with my hand I seal nor true hearts' love. – Shak. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. Rom. xv.
4. To shut or keep close; sometimes with up. Seal your lips; seal up your lips. – Shak. Open your ears, and seal your bosom upon the secret concerns of a friend. – Dwight.
5. To make fast. So they went and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone and setting a watch. – Matth. xxvii.
6. To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality. By our laws, weights and measures are to be sealed by an officer appointed and sworn for that purpose; and leather is to be sealed by a like officer, as evidence that it has been inspected and found to be of good quality. – Laws of Conn.
7. To keep secret. Shut up the words, and seal the book. – Dan. xii. Is. viii.
8. To mark, as one's property, and secure from danger. – Cant. iv.
9. To close; to fulfill; to complete; with up. – Dan. ix.
10. To imprint on the mind; as, to seal instruction. – Job xxxiii.
11. To inclose; to hide; to conceal. – Job xiv.
12. To confine; to restrain. – Job xxxiii.
13. In architecture, to fix a piece of wood or iron in a wall with cement. – Encyc.

1. Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Phocidæ and Otariidæ.
   
   

   * 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 cristata), and the ringed seal (Phoca fœtida), are northern species. See also Eared seal, Harp seal, Monk 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 (Zoöl.), 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. 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.
3. 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.

4. To affix one's seal, or a seal.
   
   
   [Obs.]

   I will seal unto this bond. Shak.

5. 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.

6. 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.
7. That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it.
8. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a letter.
9. 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. Longfellow.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or the like.
    
    
    Gwilt.
13. To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with water. See 2d Seal, 5.
14. 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.