Dolphin vs. Seal — What's the Difference?

Dolphin is the common name of aquatic mammals within the infraorder Cetacea. The term dolphin usually refers to the extant families Delphinidae (the oceanic dolphins), Platanistidae (the Indian river dolphins), named Iniidae (the New World river dolphins), and Pontoporiidae (the brackish dolphins), and the extinct Lipotidae (baiji or Chinese river dolphin).

A device or material that is used to close off or fasten an opening or connection, especially to prevent the escape of a liquid or gas

Any of various marine toothed whales of the family Delphinidae, having a beaklike snout, a curved dorsal fin, and a slender streamlined body.

An airtight closure

Any of several toothed whales inhabiting rivers and estuaries in South America and South Asia, having a long narrow beak, broad flippers, a flexible neck, and usually a reduced dorsal fin. A species native to the Yangtze River is thought to be extinct. Also called river dolphin.

Something, such as a piece of tape, that is placed on a product or package to show that the contents have not been tampered with.

See dolphinfish.

The water in the trap of a drain that prevents sewer gas from escaping into a room.

See pompano dolphinfish.

A design used to identify a person or thing or to show that something is authentic, accurate, or of good quality

A buoy, pile, or group of piles used for mooring boats.

A small decorative paper sticker.

A group of piles used as a fender, as at a dock or around a bridge pier.

A die or signet having a raised or incised emblem used to stamp an impression on a receptive substance such as wax or lead.

A carnivorous aquatic mammal in one of several families of order Cetacea, famed for its intelligence and occasional willingness to approach humans.

The impression so made.

Tursiops truncatus, (Atlantic bottlenose dolphin) the most well-known species.

The design or emblem itself, belonging exclusively to the user

A fish, the mahi-mahi or dorado, Coryphaena hippurus, with a dorsal fin that runs the length of the body, also known for iridescent coloration.

A small disk or wafer of wax, lead, or paper bearing such an imprint and affixed to a document to prove authenticity or to secure it.

(heraldry) A depiction of a fish, with a broad indented fin, usually embowed.

An indication or symbol regarded as guaranteeing or authenticating something

The dauphin, eldest son of the kings of France.

Any of various aquatic carnivorous mammals of the families Phocidae and Otariidae, found chiefly in cold regions and having a sleek torpedo-shaped body and limbs that are modified into paddlelike flippers.

(history) A mass of iron or lead hung from the yardarm, in readiness to be dropped through the deck and the hull of an enemy's vessel to sink it.

The pelt or fur of one of these animals, especially a fur seal.

(nautical) A kind of wreath or strap of plaited cordage.

Leather made from the hide of one of these animals.

(nautical) A spar or buoy held by an anchor and furnished with a ring to which ships may fasten their cables.

To close or fasten with a seal

(nautical) A mooring post on a wharf or beach.

To prevent (a liquid or gas) from escaping

(nautical) A permanent fender designed to protect a heavy boat or coastal structure from the impact of large floating objects such as ice or floating logs.

To cover, secure, or fill up (an opening)

One of the handles above the trunnions by which a gun was lifted.

To apply a waterproof coating to

(nautical) A man-made semi submerged maritime structure, usually installed to provide a fixed structure for temporary mooring, to prevent ships from drifting to shallow water or to serve as base for navigational aids.

To secure or prevent passage into and out of (an area). Often used with off

A cetacean of the genus Delphinus and allied genera (esp. Delphinus delphis); the true dolphin.

To affix a seal to (something) in order to prove authenticity, accuracy, or quality.

The Coryphæna hippuris, a fish of about five feet in length, celebrated for its surprising changes of color when dying. It is the fish commonly known as the dolphin. The term is also applied to the related Coryphaena equisetis. Called also dolphinfish and (especially in Hawaii) mahimahi. See also dolphinfish and Coryphænoid.

To establish or determine irrevocably

A mass of iron or lead hung from the yardarm, in readiness to be dropped on the deck of an enemy's vessel.

Mormon Church To make (a marriage, for example) eternally binding; solemnize forever.

A kind of wreath or strap of plaited cordage.

To hunt seals.

In old ordnance, one of the handles above the trunnions by which a cannon was lifted.

A pinniped (Pinnipedia), particularly an earless seal (true seal) or eared seal.

Large slender food and game fish widely distributed in warm seas (especially around Hawaii)

(heraldry) A bearing representing a creature something like a walrus.

Any of various small toothed whales with a beaklike snout; larger than porpoises

A stamp used to impress a design on a soft substance such as wax.

An impression of such stamp on wax, paper or other material used for sealing.

A design or insignia usually associated with an organization or an official role.

Anything that secures or authenticates.

Something which will be visibly damaged if a covering or container is opened, and which may or may not bear an official design.

(figurative) Confirmation or approval, or an indication of this.

Something designed to prevent liquids or gases from leaking through a joint.

A tight closure, secure against leakage.

A chakra. en

(intransitive) To hunt seals.

(transitive) To place a seal on (a document).

To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality.

(transitive) To fasten (something) so that it cannot be opened without visible damage.

(transitive) To prevent people or vehicles from crossing (something).

(transitive) To close securely to prevent leakage.

(transitive) To place in a sealed container.

To place a notation of one's next move in a sealed envelope to be opened after an adjournment.

(transitive) To guarantee.

To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement or plaster, etc.

To close by means of a seal.

(Mormonism) To confirm or set apart as a second or additional wife.

(Christianity) To form a sacred commitment.

To fry (meat) at a high temperature to retain the juices.

(dialectal) To tie up animals (especially cattle) in their stalls.

Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Phocidæ and Otariidæ.

An engraved or inscribed stamp, used for marking an impression in wax or other soft substance, to be attached to a document, or otherwise used by way of authentication or security.

Wax, wafer, or other tenacious substance, set to an instrument, and impressed or stamped with a seal; as, to give a deed under hand and seal.

That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it.

That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which authenticates; that which secures; assurance.

An arrangement for preventing the entrance or return of gas or air into a pipe, by which the open end of the pipe dips beneath the surface of water or other liquid, or a deep bend or sag in the pipe is filled with the liquid; a draintrap.

To set or affix a seal to; hence, to authenticate; to confirm; to ratify; to establish; as, to seal a deed.

To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality; as, to seal weights and measures; to seal silverware.

To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a letter.

Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep secure or secret.

To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or the like.

To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with water. See 2d Seal, 5.

Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or additional wife.

To affix one's seal, or a seal.

Fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters

A device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents

The pelt or fur (especially the underfur) of a seal;

A member of a Naval Special Warfare unit who is trained for unconventional warfare;

A stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it);

An indication of approved or superior status

A finishing coat applied to exclude moisture

Fastener that provides a tight and perfect closure

Any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions

Close with or as if with a seal;

Make tight; secure against leakage;

Decide irrevocably;

Affix a seal to;

Cover with varnish

Hunt seals