seal (subs.) Copy link Outline I. Of a letter, etc.1. signum (the image or device upon a signet; also, the impression in wax)2. cēra (the wax impression only)II. The animal • seal (subs.): I. Of a letter, etc.: 1. signum (the image or device upon a signet; also, the impression in wax): to put s.s to documents, tabellis s. imprimere, Hor. S. 2, 6, 38: to keep under s., sub s. habere, Cic. Att. 9, 10: (a letter) with the s.s unbroken, integris s., id. Cat. 3, 3, init. Dimin. sigillum (very rare in this sense): Hor. Ep. 1, 20, 3. 2. cēra (the wax impression only): Cic. Fl. 16, 37: Ov. Hence, cerarium, a fee for putting a s. to a document, Cic. Verr. 3, 78, init. (From this place and that in the speech pro Flacco, cera would appear to be strictly the proper word for the impression, rather than signum.) Phr.: to put one's s. to a document, tabellas obsignare, Cic. Quint. 21, 67 (v. to seal): to break open the s. of a letter, litteras resignare, Pl. Trin. 3, 3, 66: Cic. II. The animal: phōca; also, phōcē, ēs: Virg. G. 4, 432. (*Phoca vitulina, the common s.: Cycl.)