seel

verb

seeled; seeling; seels

transitive verb

1
: to close the eyes of (a bird, such as a hawk) by drawing threads through the eyelids
2
archaic : to close up (one's eyes)

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English silen, from Anglo-French ciller, from Medieval Latin ciliare, from Latin cilium eyelid

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of seel was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near seel

Cite this Entry

“Seel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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