privy seal

American

noun

(in Great Britain) the seal affixed to grants, documents, etc., that are to pass the great seal, and to documents of less importance that do not require the great seal.

privy seal British

noun

(often capitals) (in Britain) a seal affixed to certain documents issued by royal authority: of less rank and importance than the great seal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of privy seal

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

privy seal

Visitors will also be able to view books and manuscripts such as the death warrant of the 7th Earl of Northumberland, signed by Elizabeth I and sealed with her privy seal.

From Reuters ● May 27, 2022

When George the First came to the throne, the parliament declared the debt to be the debt of the queen, and the king granted a privy seal as for other debts.

From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 by Disraeli, Isaac

In the Rockingham ministry of 1782 he was again lord privy seal.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 3 "Gordon, Lord George" to "Grasses" by Various

The late king's privy seal was counterfeited, and letters despatched to many of his old adherents to assure them of his being alive, and of his intention to shortly show himself in England again.

From Claimants to Royalty by Ingram, John M.

He was a member of Lord Derby’s cabinet in 1852 as postmaster-general and lord privy seal in 1858.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 8 "Haller, Albrecht" to "Harmonium" by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023