Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Seal \Seal\ (s[=e]l), n. [OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG.
   selah, Dan. s[ae]l, Sw. sj["a]l, Icel. selr.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families {Phocid[ae]}
   and {Otariid[ae]}.

   Note: Seals inhabit seacoasts, and are found principally in
         the higher latitudes of both hemispheres. There are
         numerous species, bearing such popular names as {sea
         lion}, {sea leopard}, {sea bear}, or {ursine seal},
         {fur seal}, and {sea elephant}. The bearded seal
         ({Erignathus barbatus}), the hooded seal ({Cystophora
         crustata}), and the ringed seal ({Phoca f[oe]tida}),
         are northern species. See also {Eared seal}, {Harp
         seal}, and {Fur seal}, under {Eared}, {Harp}, {Monk},
         and {Fur}. Seals are much hunted for their skins and
         fur, and also for their oil, which in some species is
         very abundant.

   {Harbor seal} (Zo["o]l.), the common seal ({Phoca vitulina}).
      It inhabits both the North Atlantic and the North Pacific
      Ocean, and often ascends rivers; -- called also {marbled
      seal}, {native seal}, {river seal}, {bay seal}, {land
      seal}, {sea calf}, {sea cat}, {sea dog}, {dotard},
      {ranger}, {selchie}, {tangfish}.