| Main Entry: | sigillography |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | the science and study of seals |
| Etymology: | Latin sigillum 'seal' |
sigillography
the study of seals. A sealing is the impression made by the impact of a hard engraved surface on a softer material, such as clay or wax, once used to authenticate documents in the manner of a signature today; the word seal (Latin sigillum; old French scel) refers either to the matrix (or die) or to the impression. Seals are usually round or a pointed oval in shape or occasionally triangular, square, diamond, or shield-shaped.
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