Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SEAL, v.t. [Sw. besegla, försegla; Dan. besegler, forsegler; G. siegeln; D. zegelen. The root signifies, probably, to set, to fix, to impress, or to cut or engrave.]

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.