Adjacent Words

Seal definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

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 wax set to an instument, and impressed or stamped with a seal. Thus we give a deed under had and seel. 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.
5. That which confirms, ratifies or makes stable; assurance. 2 Timothy 2.
6. That which effectually shuts, confines or secures; that which makes fast. Revelation 20.
SEAL, v. t.
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 our true hearts' love. Shak.
When therefore I hace performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you in Spain. Romans 15.
4. To shut or keep close; sometimes with up. Seal your lips; seal up you lips.
Open your ears, and seal your bosom upon the secret conserns of a friend. Dwight.
5. To make fast.
So they went and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone and settig a watch.
Matthew 27.
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 appointe and sworn for that purpose; and lether is to be sealed by a like officer, as evidence that it has been inspected and found to be of good quality.
7. To keep secret.
Shut up the words, and seal the book. Daniel 11. Isaiah 8.
8. To mark as ones property, and secure from danger.
9. To close; to fulfill; to complete; with up.
10. To imprint on the ; as, to seal instruction.
11. To inclose; to hide; to conceal.
12. To confine; to restrain.
13. In architecture, to fix a piece of wood or iron in a wall with cement.
SEAL, v.i. To fix a seal.
I will seal unto this bond. [Unusual.] Shak.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters [syn: sealing wax, seal]
2: a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents [syn: seal, stamp]
3: the pelt or fur (especially the underfur) of a seal; "a coat of seal" [syn: seal, sealskin]
4: a member of a Naval Special Warfare unit who is trained for unconventional warfare; "SEAL is an acronym for Sea Air and Land" [syn: Navy SEAL, SEAL]
5: a stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it); "the warrant bore the sheriff's seal"
6: an indication of approved or superior status [syn: cachet, seal, seal of approval]
7: a finishing coat applied to exclude moisture
8: fastener that provides a tight and perfect closure
9: any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions v
1: make tight; secure against leakage; "seal the windows" [syn: seal, seal off]
2: close with or as if with a seal; "She sealed the letter with hot wax" [ant: unseal]
3: decide irrevocably; "sealing dooms"
4: affix a seal to; "seal the letter"
5: cover with varnish [syn: varnish, seal]
6: hunt seals

Merriam Webster's

abbreviation sea, air, land (team)

Merriam Webster's

I. noun (plural seals; also seal) Etymology: Middle English sele, from Old English seolh; akin to Old High German selah seal Date: before 12th century 1. any of numerous carnivorous marine mammals (families Phocidae and Otariidae) that live chiefly in cold regions and have limbs modified into webbed flippers adapted primarily to swimming; especially a fur seal or hair seal as opposed to a sea lion 2. a. the pelt of a fur seal b. leather made from the skin of a seal 3. a dark brown II. intransitive verb Date: 1828 to hunt seals III. noun Etymology: Middle English sele, seel, from Anglo-French seal, sel, from Latin sigillum seal, from diminutive of signum sign, seal — more at sign Date: 13th century 1. a. something that confirms, ratifies, or makes secure ; guarantee, assurance b. (1) a device with a cut or raised emblem, symbol, or word used especially to certify a signature or authenticate a document (2) a medallion or ring face bearing such a device incised so that it can be impressed on wax or moist clay; also a piece of wax or a wafer bearing such an impression c. an impression, device, or mark given the effect of a common-law seal by statute law or by American local custom recognized by judicial decision d. a usually ornamental adhesive stamp that may be used to close a letter or package; especially one given in a fund-raising campaign 2. a. something that secures (as a wax seal on a document) b. a closure that must be broken to be opened and that thus reveals tampering c. (1) a tight and perfect closure (as against the passage of gas or water) (2) a device to prevent the passage or return of gas or air into a pipe or container 3. a seal that is a symbol or mark of office IV. transitive verb Date: 14th century 1. a. to confirm or make secure by or as if by a seal <seal the deal> b. to solemnize for eternity (as a marriage) by a Mormon rite 2. a. to set or affix an authenticating seal to; also authenticate, ratify b. to mark with a stamp or seal usually as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, weight, or capacity, or merchantable quality 3. a. to fasten with or as if with a seal to prevent tampering b. to close or make secure against access, leakage, or passage by a fastening or coating c. to fix in position or close breaks in with a filling (as of plaster) 4. to determine irrevocably or indisputably <that answer sealed our fate>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. & v. --n. 1 a piece of wax, lead, paper, etc., with a stamped design, attached to a document as a guarantee of authenticity. 2 a similar material attached to a receptacle, envelope, etc., affording security by having to be broken to allow access to the contents. 3 an engraved piece of metal, gemstone, etc., for stamping a design on a seal. 4 a a substance or device used to close an aperture or act as a fastening. b an amount of water standing in the trap of a drain to prevent foul air from rising. 5 an act or gesture or event regarded as a confirmation or guarantee. 6 a significant or prophetic mark (has the seal of death in his face). 7 a decorative adhesive stamp. 8 esp. Eccl. a vow of secrecy; an obligation to silence. --v.tr. 1 close securely or hermetically. 2 stamp or fasten with a seal. 3 fix a seal to. 4 certify as correct with a seal or stamp. 5 (often foll. by up) confine or fasten securely. 6 settle or decide (their fate is sealed). 7 (foll. by off) put barriers round (an area) to prevent entry and exit, esp. as a security measure. 8 apply a non-porous coating to (a surface) to make it impervious. Phrases and idioms: Great Seal (in the UK) the seal in the charge of the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper used in sealing important State papers. one's lips are sealed one is obliged to keep a secret. sealed-beam (attrib.) designating a vehicle headlamp with a sealed unit consisting of the light source, reflector, and lens. sealed book see BOOK. sealed orders orders for procedure not to be opened before a specified time. sealing-wax a mixture of shellac and rosin with turpentine and pigment, softened by heating and used to make seals. seal ring a finger ring with a seal. seals of office (in the UK) those held during tenure esp. by the Lord Chancellor or a Secretary of State. set one's seal to (or on) authorize or confirm. Derivatives: sealable adj. Etymology: ME f. AF seal, OF seel f. L sigillum dimin. of signum SIGN 2. n. & v. --n. any fish-eating amphibious sea mammal of the family Phocidae or Otariidae, with flippers and webbed feet. --v.intr. hunt for seals. Etymology: OE seolh seol- f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Seal Seal, n. [OE. seel, OF. seel, F. sceau, fr. L. sigillum a little figure or image, a seal, dim. of signum a mark, sign, figure, or image. See Sign, n., and cf. Sigil.] 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it. 4. 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. --Lonfellow. 5. 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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Seal Seal (s[=e]l), n. [OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG. selah, Dan. s[ae]l, Sw. sj["a]l, Icel. selr.] (Zo["o]l.) Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Phocid[ae] and Otariid[ae]. Note: 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 crustata), and the ringed seal (Phoca f[oe]tida), are northern species. See also Eared seal, Harp 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 (Zo["o]l.), 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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Seal Seal, v. i. To affix one's seal, or a seal. [Obs.] I will seal unto this bond. --Shak.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Seal Seal, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sealed; p. pr. & vb. n. Skaling.] [OE. selen; cf. OF. seeler, seieler, F. sceller, LL. sigillare. See Seal a stamp.] 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a letter. 4. 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. 5. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or the like. --Gwilt. 6. To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with water. See 2d Seal, 5. 7. 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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Center Cen"ter, or Centre Cen"tre, seal seal . (Gas Manuf.) A compound hydraulic valve for regulating the passage of the gas through a set of purifiers so as to cut out each one in turn for the renewal of the lime.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

I. CLOSING (seals, sealing, sealed) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. Please look at category 11 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword. 1. When you seal an envelope, you close it by folding part of it over and sticking it down, so that it cannot be opened without being torn. He sealed the envelope and put on a stamp... Write your letter and seal it in a blank envelope... A courier was despatched with two sealed envelopes. VERB: V n, V n in n, V-ed 2. If you seal a container or an opening, you cover it with something in order to prevent air, liquid, or other material getting in or out. If you seal something in a container, you put it inside and then close the container tightly. She merely filled the containers, sealed them with a cork, and pasted on labels... ...a lid to seal in heat and keep food moist. ...a hermetically sealed, leak-proof packet. VERB: V n, V n with in, V-ed 3. The seal on a container or opening is the part where it has been sealed. When assembling the pie, wet the edges where the two crusts join, to form a seal. N-COUNT 4. A seal is a device or a piece of material, for example in a machine, which closes an opening tightly so that air, liquid, or other substances cannot get in or out. Check seals on fridges and freezers regularly. N-COUNT: oft N on n 5. A seal is something such as a piece of sticky paper or wax that is fixed to a container or door and must be broken before the container or door can be opened. The seal on the box broke when it fell from its hiding-place... N-COUNT: oft N on n 6. A seal is a special mark or design, for example on a document, representing someone or something. It may be used to show that something is genuine or officially approved. ...a supply of note paper bearing the Presidential seal... N-COUNT: usu with supp 7. If someone in authority seals an area, they stop people entering or passing through it, for example by placing barriers in the way. The soldiers were deployed to help paramilitary police seal the border... A wide area round the two-storey building is sealed to all traffic except the emergency services. VERB: V n, V-ed • Seal off means the same as seal. Police and troops sealed off the area after the attack... Soldiers there are going to seal the airport off. PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P 8. To seal something means to make it definite or confirm how it is going to be. (WRITTEN) McLaren are close to sealing a deal with Renault... His artistic character was sealed by his experiences of the First World War. VERB: V n, V n 9. If something sets or puts the seal on something, it makes it definite or confirms how it is going to be. (WRITTEN) Such a visit may set the seal on a new relationship between the two governments... PHRASE: V inflects 10. If a document is under seal, it is in a sealed envelope and cannot be looked at, for example because it is private. (FORMAL) Because the transcript is still under seal, I am precluded by law from discussing the evidence. PHRASE: v-link PHR, n PHR 11. to seal someone's fate: see fate II. ANIMAL (seals) A seal is a large animal with a rounded body and flat legs called flippers. Seals eat fish and live in and near the sea, usually in cold parts of the world. N-COUNT

Easton's Bible Dictionary

commonly a ring engraved with some device (Gen. 38:18, 25). Jezebel "wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal" (1 Kings 21:8). Seals are frequently mentioned in Jewish history (Deut. 32:34; Neh. 9:38; 10:1; Esther 3:12; Cant. 8:6; Isa. 8:16; Jer. 22:24; 32:44, etc.). Sealing a document was equivalent to the signature of the owner of the seal. "The use of a signet-ring by the monarch has recently received a remarkable illustration by the discovery of an impression of such a signet on fine clay at Koyunjik, the site of the ancient Nineveh. This seal appears to have been impressed from the bezel of a metallic finger-ring. It is an oval, 2 inches in length by 1 inch wide, and bears the image, name, and titles of the Egyptian king Sabaco" (Rawlinson's Hist. Illus. of the O.T., p. 46). The actual signet-rings of two Egyptian kings (Cheops and Horus) have been discovered. (See SIGNET.)

The use of seals is mentioned in the New Testament only in connection with the record of our Lord's burial (Matt. 27:66). The tomb was sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests for the purpose of making sure that the disciples would not come and steal the body away (ver. 63, 64). The mode of doing this was probably by stretching a cord across the stone and sealing it at both ends with sealing-clay. When God is said to have sealed the Redeemer, the meaning is, that he has attested his divine mission (John 6:27). Circumcision is a seal, an attestation of the covenant (Rom. 4:11). Believers are sealed with the Spirit, as God's mark put upon them (Eph. 1:13; 4:30). Converts are by Paul styled the seal of his apostleship, i.e., they are its attestation (1 Cor. 9:2). Seals and sealing are frequently mentioned in the book of Revelation (5:1; 6:1; 7:3; 10:4; 22:10).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sel (substantive chotham, "seal," "signet," Tabba`ath, "signet-ring"; Aramaic `izqa'; sphragis; verb chatham, (Aramaic chatham); (sphragizo), (katasphragizomai, "to seal"):

I. Literal Sense.

A seal is an instrument of stone, metal or other hard substance (sometimes set in a ring), on which is engraved some device or figure, and is used for making an impression on some soft substance, as clay or wax, affixed to a document or other object, in token of authenticity.

1. Prevalence in Antiquity:

The use of seals goes back to a very remote antiquity, especially in Egypt, Babylonia and Assyria. Herodotus (i.195) records the Babylonian custom of wearing signets. In Babylonia the seal generally took the form of a cylinder cut in crystal or some hard stone, which was bored through from end to end and a cord passed through it. The design, often accompanied by the owner's name, was engraved on the curved part. The signet was then suspended by the cord round the neck or waist (compare the Revised Version (British and American) "cord" in Ge 38:18; "upon thy heart .... upon thine arm," i.e. one seal hanging down from the neck and another round the waist; So 8:6). In Egypt, too, as in Babylonia, the cylinder was the earliest form used for the purpose of a seal; but this form was in Egypt gradually superseded by the scarab (= beetle-shaped) as the prevailing type. Other forms, such as the cone-shaped, were also in use. From the earliest period of civilization the finger-ring on which some distinguishing badge was engraved was in use as a convenient way of carrying the signet, the earliest extant rings being those found in Egyptian tombs. Other ancient peoples, such as the Phoenicians, also used seals. From the East the custom passed into Greece and other western countries. Devices of a variety of sorts were in use at Rome, both by the emperors and by private individuals. In ancient times, almost every variety of precious stones was used for seals, as well as cheaper material, such as limestone or terra-cotta. In the West wax came early into use as the material for receiving the impression of the seal, but in the ancient East clay was the medium used (compare Job 38:14). Pigment and ink also came into use.

2. Seals among the Hebrews:

That the Israelites were acquainted with the use in Egypt of signets set in rings is seen in the statement that Pharaoh delivered to Joseph his royal signet as a token of deputed authority (Ge 41:41 f). They were also acquainted with the use of seals among the Persians and Medes (Es 3:12; 8:8-10; Da 6:17). The Hebrews themselves used them at an early period, the first recorded instance being Ge 38:18,25, where the patriarch Judah is said to have pledged his word to Tamar by leaving her his signet, cord and staff. We have evidence of engraved signets being in important use among them in early times in the description of the two stones on the high priest's ephod (Ex 28:11; 39:6), of his golden plate (Ex 28:36; 39:30), and breastplate (Ex 39:14). Ben-Sirach mentions as a distinct occupation the work of engraving on signets (Sirach 38:27). From the case of Judah and the common usage in other countries, we may infer that every Hebrew of any standing wore a seal. In the case of the signet ring, it was usual to wear it on one of the fingers of the right hand (Jer 22:24). The Hebrews do not seem to have developed an original type of signets. The seals so far discovered in Palestine go to prove that the predominating type was the Egyptian, and to a less degree the Babylonian.

3. Uses of Sealing:

(1) One of the most important uses of sealing in antiquity was to give a proof of authenticity and authority to letters, royal commands, etc. It served the purposes of a modern signature at a time when the art of writing was known to only a few. Thus Jezebel "wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal" (1Ki 21:8); the written commands of Ahasuerus were "sealed with the king's ring," "for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse" (Es 8:8,10; 3:12).

(2) Allied to this is the formal ratification of a transaction or covenant. Jeremiah sealed the deeds of the field which he bought from Hanamel (Jer 32:10-14; compare Jer 32:44); Nehemiah and many others affixed their seal to the written covenant between God and His people (Ne 9:38; 10:1 ).

(3) An additional use was the preservation of books in security. A roll or other document intended for preservation was sealed up before it was deposited in a place of safety (Jer 32:14; compare the "book .... close sealed with seven seals," Re 5:1). In sealing the roll, it was wrapped round with flaxen thread or string, then a lump of clay was attached to it impressed with a seal. The seal would have to be broken by an authorized person before the book could be read (Re 5:2,5,9; 6:1,3, etc.).

(4) Sealing was a badge of deputed authority and power, as when a king handed over his signet ring to one of his officers (Ge 41:42; Es 3:10; 8:2; /RAPC 1Ma 6:15).

(5) Closed doors were often sealed to prevent the entrance of any unauthorized person. So the door of the lion's den (Da 6:17; compare Bel and the Dragon verse 6:14). Herodotus mentions the custom of sealing tombs (ii.121). So we read of the chief priests and Pharisees sealing the stone at the mouth of our Lord's tomb in order to "make the sepulchre sure" against the intrusion of the disciples (Mt 27:66). Compare the sealing of the abyss to prevent Satan's escape Re 20:3). A door was sealed by stretching a cord over the stone which blocked the entrance, spreading clay or wax on the cord, and then impressing it with a seal.

(6) To any other object might a seal be affixed, as an official mark of ownership; e.g. a large number of clay stoppers of wine jars are still preserved, on which seal impressions of the cylinder type were stamped, by rolling the cylinder along the surface of the clay when it was still soft (compare Job 38:14).

II. Metaphorical Use of the Term.

The word "seal," both substantive and verb, is often used figuratively for the act or token of authentication, confirmation, proof, security or possession. Sin is said not to be forgotten by God, but treasured and stored up with Him against the sinner, under a seal (De 32:34; Job 14:17). A lover's signet is the emblem of love as an inalienable possession (So 8:6); an unresponsive maiden is "a spring shut up, a fountain sealed" (So 4:12). The seal is sometimes a metaphor for secrecy. That which is beyond the comprehension of the uninitiated is said to be as "a book that is sealed" (Isa 29:11 f; compare the book with seven seals, Re 5:1 ). Daniel is bidden to "shut up the words" of his prophecy "and seal the book, even to the time of the end," i.e. to keep his prophecy a secret till it shall be revealed (Da 12:4,9; compare Re 10:4). Elsewhere it stands for the ratification of prophecy (Da 9:24). The exact meaning of the figure is sometimes ambiguous (as in Job 33:16; Eze 28:12). In the New Testament the main ideas in the figure are those of authentication, ratification, and security. The believer in Christ is said to "set his seal to this, that God is true" (Joh 3:33), i.e. to attest the veracity of God, to stamp it with the believer's own endorsement and confirmation. The Father has sealed the Son, i.e. authenticated Him as the bestower of life-giving bread (Joh 6:27). The circumcision of Abraham was a "sign" and "seal," an outward ratification, of the righteousness of faith which he had already received while uncircumcised (Ro 4:11; compare the prayer offered at the circumcision of a child, "Blessed be He who sanctified His beloved from the womb, and put His ordinance upon his flesh, and sealed His offering with the sign of a holy covenant"; also Targum So 38: "The seal of circumcision is in your flesh as it was sealed in the flesh of Abraham"). Paul describes his act in making over to the saints at Jerusalem the contribution of the Gentiles as having "sealed to them this fruit" (Ro 15:28); the meaning of the phrase is doubtful, but the figure seems to be based on sealing as ratifying a commercial transaction, expressing Paul's intention formally to hand over to them the fruit (of his own labors, or of spiritual blessings which through him the Gentiles had enjoyed), and to mark it as their own property. Paul's converts are the "seal," the authentic confirmation, of his apostleship (1Co 9:2). God by His Spirit indicates who are His, as the owner sets his seal on his property; and just as documents are sealed up until the proper time for opening them, so Christians are sealed up by the Holy Spirit "unto the day of redemption" (Eph 1:13; 4:30; 2Co 1:22). Ownership, security and authentication are implied in the words, "The firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his" (2Ti 2:19). The seal of God on the foreheads of His servants (Re 7:2-4) marks them off as His own, and guarantees their eternal security, whereas those that "have not the seal of God on their foreheads" (Re 9:4) have no such guaranty.

On the analogy of the rite of circumcision (see above), the term "seal" (sphragis) was at a very early period applied to Christian baptism. But there is no sufficient ground for referring such passages as Eph 1:13; 4:30; 2Co 1:22 to the rite of baptism (as some do). The use of the metaphor in connection with baptism came after New Testament times (early instances are given in Gebhardt and Lightfoot on 2 Clem 7:6). Harnack and Hatch maintain that the name "seal" for baptism was taken from the Greek mysteries, but Anrich and Sanday-Headlam hold that it was borrowed from the Jewish view of circumcision as a seal.

See MYSTERY.

D. Miall Edwards

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Stamp. 2. Wax, wafer, fastening. 3. Attestation, authentication, confirmation, ratification, assurance, pledge. 4. Sea-calf, tang-fish, phoca. II. v. a. 1. Close, fasten, secure. 2. Confirm, ratify, establish, sanction, authenticate, attest. 3. Keep close, keep secret, shut close, make fast. 4. Enclose, confine, imprison.

Moby Thesaurus

John Hancock, OK, X, accept, acceptance, accredit, affirm, affirmance, affirmation, agree on terms, amen, approbation, approval, approve, aroma, assurance, assure, attest, attestation, attribute, authenticate, authentication, authorization, authorize, autograph, badge, bang, banner, bar, barricade, batten, batten down, bearing, beige, billhead, blaze, blaze a trail, blemish, blotch, bolt, book stamp, bookplate, boss, brand, broad arrow, brown, brownish, brownish-yellow, brunet, bump, burin, button, button up, cachet, cap of dignity, cap of maintenance, cartouche, cast, casting, certification, certify, chalk, chalk up, character, characteristic, check, check off, chocolate, choke, choke off, christcross, cicatrize, cinnamon, cipher, clap, clinch, close, close off, close up, coat of arms, cocoa, cocoa-brown, coffee, coffee-brown, colophon, concavity, conclude, configuration, confirm, confirmation, constrict, contain, contract, convexity, cork, coronet, corroborate, corroboration, cosign, counterfoil, countermark, countersign, countersignature, counterstamp, cover, crest, cross, crown, cut, dactylogram, dactylograph, dapple, dash, decide, define, delimit, demarcate, dent, design, determine, device, diadem, die, differentia, differential, dint, discolor, distinctive feature, docket, dot, drab, dun, dun-brown, dun-drab, earmark, ecru, emblem, embossment, endorse, endorsement, engrave, engraving tool, ensure, ermine, escutcheon, etching ball, etching ground, etching needle, etching point, evidence, excrescence, fasten, fawn, fawn-colored, feature, figure, fingerprint, fix, flavor, fleck, fold, fold up, footmark, footprint, footstep, form, formalize, fossil footprint, freckle, fuscous, gash, give permission, give the go-ahead, give the imprimatur, give thumbs up, go-ahead, government mark, government stamp, graver, great seal, green light, grege, guarantee, guaranty, gust, hallmark, hand, hatch, hazel, ichnite, ichnolite, identification, idiocrasy, idiosyncrasy, image, impress, impression, imprimatur, imprint, indent, indentation, indention, index, indicant, indicator, individualism, initial, initials, insignia, intaglio, key, keynote, khaki, label, last, latch, letterhead, line, lineaments, lock, lock out, lock up, logo, logotype, lump, lurid, make a mark, mannerism, mark, mark of signature, mark off, mark out, marking, masthead, matrix, measure, mint, mold, molding, monogram, mottle, nature, needle, negative, nick, nod, notarization, notarize, notch, note, notice, notification, nut-brown, occlude, odor, okay, olive-brown, olive-drab, orb, pad, padlock, particularity, pass, pass on, pass upon, paw print, pawmark, peculiarity, pencil, pepper, permission, permit, picture, pimple, plate, plug up, plumb, point, price tag, prick, print, privy seal, property, pug, pugmark, punch, punctuate, puncture, purple, purple pall, purpose, quality, quirk, ratification, ratify, regalia, registered trademark, representation, representative, resolve, riddle, robe of state, rocker, rod, rod of empire, royal crown, rubber stamp, running head, running title, sanction, savor, say amen to, scar, scarify, scepter, score, scorper, scotch, scratch, seal off, seal up, seal-brown, seam, second, secure, sepia, settle, shake hands, shape, shoe last, shut, shut off, shut the door, shut up, sigil, sign, sign and seal, sign manual, signal, signature, signet, singularity, slam, smack, snap, snuff-colored, sorrel, specialty, speck, speckle, splotch, spot, squeeze shut, stain, stamp, stamp of approval, step, sticker, stigmatize, stop up, strangle, streak, striate, strike a bargain, stripe, stub, stud, style, subscribe to, subscription, substantiation, support, sure sign, swear and affirm, swear to, symbol, symptom, tab, tag, taint, take a resolution, tally, tan, tang, taste, tattoo, taupe, tawny, telltale sign, template, the nod, thumbmark, thumbprint, tiara, tick, tick off, ticket, title page, toast, toast-brown, token, trace, trade name, trademark, trademark name, trait, trick, triple plume, umber, umber-colored, underline, underscore, undersign, uraeus, validate, validation, verification, verify, vestige, visa, vise, walnut, walnut-brown, warrant, will, yellowish-brown, zip up, zipper