ENGLISH
REFERENCE

seal

n. · v.
US //ˈsiɫ// UK //sˈiːl// seal
  1. 1 sea animal (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a large sea animal that eats fish and lives around cold coasts.

    any of various carnivorous marine mammals of the suborder Pinnipedia, typically having a sleek body and limbs modified into paddles.

    Example

    We saw a colony of seals resting on the rocks near the harbour.

    Example

    The researchers monitored the migration patterns of the elephant seal population along the Antarctic coastline throughout the winter months.
    • pinniped
  2. 2 tight closure (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    something that closes a container or joint so that no air or liquid can get out.

    a device or substance used to join two surfaces together to prevent the escape of a gas or liquid.

    Example

    Make sure the rubber seal on the jar is clean before you close it.

    Example

    The engineer inspected the airtight seal on the pressure valve to ensure no hydraulic fluid could escape during the test.
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  1. 3 official mark (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    a design or piece of wax used to show that a document is official or has not been opened.

    an embossed emblem, figure, or symbol used as evidence of authenticity or to attest to the formal execution of a document.

    Example

    The king pressed his ring into the hot wax to create a royal seal.

    Example

    The document bore the official seal of the university, confirming that the degree had been conferred by the academic board.
  2. 4 military elite (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Military

    a member of an elite special forces unit in the US Navy.

    a member of the United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land Teams, which is the primary special operations force of the US Navy.

    Example

    He spent six years serving as a Navy SEAL before becoming a pilot.

    Example

    The mission was carried out by a highly trained team of SEALs who specialised in underwater reconnaissance and tactical extraction.
  3. 5 to close tightly (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to close something very securely so that nothing can get in or out.

    to fasten or close something securely to prevent leakage or unauthorised access.

    Example

    You should seal the envelope before you put it in the post box.

    Example

    The technician used a specialised polymer to seal the cracks in the foundation, preventing further water damage to the basement.
  4. 6 to make final (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make something certain or final, like a deal or a fate.

    to establish or settle something definitively; to make a decision or outcome irrevocable.

    Example

    The two companies shook hands to seal the deal.

    Example

    The late goal in the final minute of the match served to seal the team's victory and secure their place in the finals.
  5. 7 to brown meat (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Cooking

    to cook the outside of meat quickly at a high heat to keep the juices inside.

    to brown the surface of meat quickly at a high temperature to develop flavour and texture through the Maillard reaction.

    Example

    Seal the steak in a hot pan for two minutes on each side.

    Example

    The chef instructed the apprentices to seal the venison loin thoroughly before transferring it to the oven for slow roasting.

    Usage

    Often used as a synonym for 'sear' in culinary contexts.
Etymology 1

From Middle English sel, from an inflectional form of Old English seolh, from Proto-West Germanic selh, from Proto-Germanic selhaz (compare Scots selch,selkie, North Frisian selich, Middle Dutch seel, zēle, Old High German selah, Danish sæl, Middle Low German sale, Icelandic selur), either from Proto-Indo-European selk- (“to pull”) (compare dialectal English sullow (“plough”)) or from early Proto-Finnic šülkeš (later *hülgeh, compare dialectal Finnish hylki, standard hylje, Estonian hüljes).

Etymology 2

From Middle English sele, from Anglo-Norman seel, from Latin sigillum, a diminutive of signum (“sign”). Doublet of sigil and sigillum.

Etymology 3

From Middle English *selen (suggested by Middle English sele (“harness; hame”)), perhaps from Old English sǣlan (“to bind”).

Word family
Idioms2 entries

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