privy seal

American  

noun

1. (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.

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privy seal British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of privy seal

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300

Example Sentences

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

The latter, in fact, was a minor court of equity attached to the lord privy seal as the court of chancery was to the chancellor.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 "Equation" to "Ethics" by Various

In November 1830 when Grey became prime minister in succession to the duke of Wellington, Lord Durham entered the cabinet as lord privy seal.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 8 "Dubner" to "Dyeing" by Various

Lord Durham, perhaps the most influential leader of the reform movement, became privy seal, Althorp chancellor of the exchequer, Palmerston foreign secretary, Melbourne home secretary, Goderich colonial secretary.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5 English History by Various

The death of the Earl of Halifax, soon after the close of the session in this year, caused a vacancy; and the Duke of Grafton returned to office, as keeper of the privy seal.

From Secret History of the Court of England, from the Accession of George the Third to the Death of George the Fourth, Volume I (of 2) Including, Among Other Important Matters, Full Particulars of the Mysterious Death of the Princess Charlotte by Hamilton, Lady Anne