cylinder seal

cylinder seal

noun

Definition of CYLINDER SEAL

: a cylinder (as of stone) engraved in intaglio and used especially in ancient Mesopotamia to roll an impression on wet clay

First Known Use of CYLINDER SEAL

1887

Rhymes with CYLINDER SEAL

automobile, chemical peel, crucible steel, ego ideal, electric eel, elephant seal, Solomon's seal, stiletto heel, structural steel, Virginia reel, varicocele

cylinder seal

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Small stone cylinder engraved in intaglio on its surface to leave impressions when rolled on wet clay. It first appeared c. 3400–2900 BC and is considered to be one of the finest artistic achievements of Mesopotamia. The earliest examples used geometric or animal patterns; later seals incorporated the owner's name and depicted a variety of motifs. They were used to mark personal property and make documents legally binding. The seals were adopted in Egypt and the Indus civilization.