(sēl) noun
1. An instrument or device used for making an impression upon some tenacious substance, as wax or a wafer; also, the impression made.
2. The wax, wafer, or similar token affixed to a document as a proof of authenticity; also, an impression, scroll, ormark on the paper.
3. A substance employed to secure a letter, door, lid, wrapper, joint, etc., firmly.
4. Anything that confirms or ratifies; a pledge; authentication.
5. Any instrumentality that keeps something close, secret, or unknown.
6. The fluid filling thetrap of a drainage pipe and preventing the upward flow of gas.
7. An ornamental stamp for packages, etc.
—v.t.
1. To affix a seal to, as to prove authenticity or prevent tampering.
2. To stamp or otherwise impress a seal upon in order to attest to weight, fineness, quality, etc.
3. To fasten or close with or as with a seal: to seal a letter; to seal a glass jar.
4. To grant or assign under seal.
5. To establish or settle finally; determine.
6. In Mormon usage, to solemnize forever, as a marriage or the adoption of a child.
7. To sign with the cross; also, to baptize or confirm.
8. To secure, set, or fill up, as with plaster.
9. To supply with a device or trap for preventing a return flow of gas or air. ♦ Homophone: ceil. [<OF seel <L sigillum a small picture, seal, dim. of signum a sign]
—seal′a·ble adjective
GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES

(sēl) noun
1. An aquatic carnivorous mammal (order or suborder Pinnipedia) mostly of high latitudes, of which some species, as the fur seal, yield valuable fur; any member of Pinnipedia except the walrus. Seals feed mostly on fish, and frequent seacoast rocks, ice floes, etc. In the breeding season they congregate on seacoasts, wild islands, etc. ♦ Collateral adjective: phocine.
2. The fur of a fur seal; sealskin.
3. Leather made from the hide of a seal.
4. Any fur prepared so as to look like sealskin.
—v.i. To hunt seals. ♦ Homophone: ceil. [OE seolh]
SEAL
(Species vary from 7 to 12 feet long)