Word: seal Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sek- Proto-Indo-European *-nóm Proto-Italic *seknom Latin signum Proto-Indo-European *-lós Proto-Indo-European *-elós Proto-Italic *-elos Latin -lum Latin sigillum Anglo-Norman seelbor. Middle English sel English seal Inherited from Middle English sel, sele, from Anglo-Norman seel, from Latin sigillum, a diminutive of signum (“sign”). Doublet of sigil and sigillum. Pronunciation: /siːl/, /siː.əl/ 1. To place a seal on (a document). Labels: transitive 2. To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality. Example: to seal weights and measures Example: to seal silverware 3. To fasten (something) so that it cannot be opened without visible damage. Labels: transitive Example: The cover is sealed. If anyone tries to open it, we'll know about it. 4. To prevent people or vehicles from crossing (something). Labels: transitive Example: The border has been sealed until the fugitives are found. 5. To close securely to prevent leakage. Labels: transitive Example: I've sealed the bottle to keep the contents fresh. Example: Seal up your lips, and give no words but "mum". 6. To place in a sealed container. Labels: transitive Example: I've sealed the documents in this envelope. 7. To place a notation of one's next move in a sealed envelope to be opened after an adjournment. Labels: transitive Example: After thinking for half an hour, the champion sealed his move. 8. To guarantee. Labels: transitive Example: The last-minute goal sealed United’s win. Example: seal one's destiny 9. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement or plaster, etc. Example: Sealed to this wall by their rims were cazuelas ( earthenware bowls). Example: After testing is concluded and it has been determined that the drilled well is to be completed as a producing or fluid-injection well, or that operations are to be suspended, the final string of casing is placed in the well and sealed to the penetrated formation with cement. 10. To close by means of a seal. Example: to seal a drainpipe with water Example: When the silicone rubber has set the plaster pieces are replaced, followed by the lid, which is sealed to the mother-mould with plaster and bandage as previously described. 11. To bind eternally as family members. Labels: Mormonism Example: If a man once married desires a second helpmate […] she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of the church. Example: She can be sealed to this other man and still remain with her first husband; and the Mormons believe that all her children will belong to the man to whom she is sealed. 12. To form a sacred commitment. Example: What was that office, or work, to which his Father sealed him? I answer, more generally, he was sealed to the whole work of mediation for us, thereby to recover and save all the elect, whom the Father had given him: Example: Perfectly so, I tell thee, of the sealed people who have come in through unbelief, pretending themselves to be children of the kingdom, that they are sealed to be heirs of the promise, but have come in as thieves and robbers. 13. To fry (meat) at a high temperature to retain the juices. Labels: transitive Example: Seal the meat and continue frying until nicely browned.