to seal
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to seal
To make or confirm something as final and binding, often through a symbolic action such as a handshake, a signature, or a kiss.
Mit ihrer Unterschrift besiegelten sie den Kaufvertrag für das Haus.
With their signatures, they sealed the purchase contract for the house.
to seal
To provide a document or letter with a seal, e.g. made of wax, in order to guarantee its authenticity or intactness.
Der König besiegelte den Erlass mit seinem persönlichen Ring.
The king sealed the decree with his personal ring.
The verb is derived from 'das Siegel' (seal). The prefix 'be-' expresses that an action is applied to something. 'Besiegeln' (to seal) therefore literally means to provide something with a seal, which explains the idea of finality.
Der Notar besiegelte das Dokument offiziell.
The notary officially sealed the document.
'Besiegeln' (to seal) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
Er besiegelt den Vertrag.
He seals the contract.
In the figurative meaning, 'besiegeln' (to seal) is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'Vertrag' (contract), 'Abkommen' (agreement), 'Schicksal' (fate), 'Sieg' (victory), or 'Niederlage' (defeat). The action used to do this is often expressed with 'mit' (with).
Mit einem Handschlag besiegelten sie die Abmachung.
With a handshake, they sealed the agreement.
The literal meaning, to close a document with a wax seal, is rare today. You mainly find it in historical texts or films. Watch for words like 'Wachs' (wax), 'Ring' (ring), or 'Brief' (letter).
Im Mittelalter besiegelte man wichtige Briefe mit heißem Wachs.
In the Middle Ages, important letters were sealed with hot wax.
to confirm
Both bestätigen and besiegeln can reinforce an agreement or commitment. bestätigen primarily makes its correctness or validity clear, while besiegeln emphasizes the final and binding conclusion. For a factual confirmation, bestätigen is appropriate; for the final step, besiegeln is more appropriate.
Mit ihrer Unterschrift besiegelten beide Seiten den vereinbarten Vertrag.
By signing, both sides sealed the contract they had agreed on.
Beide Seiten bestätigten den vereinbarten Termin schriftlich.
Both sides confirmed the agreed date in writing.
