seal

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
  2. noun a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
  3. noun the pelt or fur (especially the underfur) of a seal

Etymology

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).

In classic literature

Synonyms

sealing wax

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