sealing wax

sealing wax
a resinous preparation, soft when heated, used for sealing letters, documents, etc.
[1300-50; ME]

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      substance formerly in wide use for sealing letters and attaching impressions of seals to documents. In medieval times it consisted of a mixture of beeswax, Venice turpentine, and colouring matter, usually vermilion; later lac from Indonesia supplanted the beeswax. The wax was prepared by melting and stirring, and the molten mixture was poured into stick-shaped molds. The mold was then held over the envelope or document to be sealed, a candle or other flame was applied, and the resulting drop pressed with a die containing the seal.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Sealing wax — Seal ing wax A compound of the resinous materials, pigments, etc., used as a material for seals, as for letters, documents, etc. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sealing wax — n. a combination of resin and turpentine used for sealing letters, dry cells, etc.: it is hard at normal temperatures but softens when heated …   English World dictionary

  • sealing wax — n [U] a red substance that melts and becomes hard again quickly, used for closing letters, documents etc, especially in the past …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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  • sealing wax — N UNCOUNT Sealing wax is a hard, usually red, substance that melts quickly and is used for putting seals on documents or letters …   English dictionary

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  • sealing wax — type of wax used for sealing letters …   English contemporary dictionary

  • sealing wax — seal′ing wax n. a resinous preparation, soft when heated, used for sealing letters, documents, etc • Etymology: 1300–50 …   From formal English to slang

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