Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRIV'Y-SEAL, or PRIV-Y-SIG'NET, n.

1. In England, the seal which the king uses previously in grants, &c. which are to pass the great seal, or which he uses in matters of subordinate consequence, which do not require the great seal.
2. Privy-seal, is used elliptically for the principal secretary of state, or person intrusted with the privy-seal. The king's sign manual is the warrant to the privy-seal, who makes out a writ or warrant thereon to the chancery. The sign manual is the warrant to the privy-seal, and the privy-seal is the warrant to the great seal. Blackstone.