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

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 Isaac Disraeli

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

He was made by Henry VIII. lord warden of the stannaries, and lord admiral of England and Ireland, knight of the garter, and lord privy seal.

From Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set. by Thomas Cantrell Dugdale

In March 1782 he resigned his office as lord privy seal and in 1783 he was lord steward of the household; he died on the 15th of July 1801.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 "Dagupan" to "David" by Various