▪ I. sealer, n.1
(ˈsiːlə(r))
Forms: 4 seeler, 4, 6 seler, 5– sealer.
[f. seal v.1 + -er1.]
1. One who affixes a seal to a document.
| 1382 Wyclif 2 Esdras x. 1 Seler forsothe weren Neemias, Athersata [etc.]. 1485 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 337/2 The Sealer in the Chauncery. 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Chauffecires, sealers of patentes. 1708 Lond. Gaz. No. 4467/4 Complaint hath been made..that the Sealer to the Great Seal has demanded extraordinary Fees for his Attendance in the Country. 1819 Taunton Rep. Cases Comm. Pleas VII. 182 The sealer of writs is not guilty of a contempt in refusing to seal a writ on St. Luke's day. 1833 Act 3 & 4 Will. IV, c. 84 §2 As the Offices..of Chaff Wax and Sealer..become vacant..the Duties of such several Offices shall be performed by the said Purse-bearer. |
2. † a. One who attaches the official mark or seal to leather or other material as evidence of quality, etc. Obs. b. An Inspector of weights and measures.
| 1467–8 Rolls of Parlt. V. 630/1 That all the seid Clothes..be sealed by the Kyngs Awnager or Sealer. 1511–2 Act 3 Hen. VIII, c. 6 §1 The Alnager or Seler..shall put to every Wollen cloth..the Kynges Seales of leed. 1592 Greene Upst. Courtier E iv b, Whereas your backes of al other shoulde bee best tanned, you bring them so full of horne to the market, that did you not grease the sealers of Leaden hall thoroughly in the fiste, they should neuer be sealed. 1835 App. Munic. Corpor. Rep. i. 431 (Barnstaple) The Sealers of Weights and Measures are appointed by the mayor and capital burgesses; they are paid by the fees charged for sealing. Ibid. ii. 1095 (Axbridge) The office of the Ale Tasters and Leather Sealers has been long obsolete. 1858 Rev. Statutes Wisconsin 176 One sealer of weights and measures; and one overseer of highways. |
† 3. fig. One who gathers up and closes the efforts or labours of others. Obs. rare—1.
| 1615 T. Bedwell Moham. Impost. iii. §106 Iohn was the sealer vp of the sayings of the Prophets. |
† 4. slang. (See quots.)
| 1688 Shadwell Sq. Alsatia i. i. 7 Cheatly who has drawn in so many young Heirs, and undone so many Sealers. Ibid. Expl. Cant, Sealer, one that gives Bonds and Judgments for Goods and Money. 1785 Grose Dict. Vulgar T., Sealer or Squeeze Wax, one ready to give bond and judgment for goods or money. |
5. One who or that which seals (seal v.1 8).
| 1881 Instructions to Census Clerks (1885) 58 Blacking Manufacture: Liquid:..Sealer. 1921 Dict. Occup. Terms (1927) §159 Sealer, ink bottle; seals filled bottles of ink with sealing wax or with paper seals. 1928 Daily Express 6 July 5/5 The machine seals the lids of special cans... Mr. A. Appleyard..and Mr. Hirst..have tested this British hand sealer scientifically. 1940 H. T. Davey Wood Finishing xvii. 199 The object of a sealer is to block the pores of the wood so as to stop the succeeding coats of lacquer sinking in. 1958 Listener 4 Sept. 359/2 Mix yourself some sanding sealer from starch and cellulose lacquer. 1971 Home Preserv. Fruit & Veg. (Min. Agric.) (ed. 13) 63 The can sealer must be cleaned thoroughly after use. 1977 Reader's Digest Bk. Do-It-Yourself Skills & Techniques iv. 140/2 Apply a light coat of the sealer by brush or cloth direct to the unfilled timber, working it well in. |
6. Canad. A glass jar designed to preserve fruit, vegetables, etc.
| 1932 N. M. Jamieson Cattle in Stall 12 Just take in a great half-gallon sealer and get it filled—for about half a dollar! 1959 Weekend Mag. (Montreal) 15 Aug. 39/2, I went into the fruit cellar, turned on the light and was actually picking up two quart sealers of icicle pickles. 1970 Canad. Antiques Collector July–Aug. 23/2 The demand for these preserving jars dwindled with the beginning of the cheap production of glass ‘sealers’ and the discovery of the method of canning in tins. |
▪ II. sealer, n.2
(ˈsiːlə(r))
[f. seal v.3 + -er1.]
1. A vessel engaged in the sealing trade.
| 1820 W. Scoresby Acc. Arctic Reg. I. 508 Many vessels equipped only as sealers, proceed annually into the Greenland Sea. 1904 Times 15 Aug. 4/3 The sealer Teresa is at Dutch Harbour..seized for using fire-arms..before..season. |
2. One who hunts the seal.
| 1770 G. Cartwright Jrnl. 31 Dec. (1792) I. 76 After breakfast we set off homewards, being accompanied by two of the sealers. 1825 J. F. Cooper Lionel Lincoln II. vi. 138 The sealers of New-England have been able to discover Terra Australis. 1842 Bonnycastle Newfoundld. II. 167 To pay the sealers, or the same men as cod-fishers, regular wages, would at present be impracticable. 1880 H. W. Elliott Rep. Seal Isl. Alaska (1884) 164 The sealers on St. Paul..just as the season opens, invariably prophesy a bad year for seals. |