contract under seal

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Word: Contract Under Seal

Definition: A "contract under seal" is a special type of agreement that is signed and has a seal (often made of wax) attached to it. This seal serves as a mark of authenticity, meaning that the person who signed the document is agreeing to its terms seriously.

Usage Instructions:

• Use this term when discussing formal agreements, especially in legal contexts.
• It is important to understand that this type of contract may have special legal significance and may not require the same level of consideration (something of value exchanged) as regular contracts.

Example Sentence:

• "The old estate was sold through a contract under seal, which ensured that the transfer of ownership was legally binding."

Advanced Usage:

In legal terms, a contract under seal is often treated differently than other contracts. For example, it may have a longer statute of limitations, meaning that one has more time to bring a legal action if something goes wrong.

Word Variants:

• "Sealed contract" – another way to refer to a contract under seal.
• "Seal" – the actual mark used on the contract, which can be a physical wax seal or a digital representation.

Different Meanings:

• In some contexts, "seal" can also mean to close something securely (like sealing an envelope).
• "Contract" can refer to any agreement, not just those with a seal. For example, a verbal contract is an agreement made through spoken words.

Synonyms:

• Formal agreement
• Sealed agreement
• Executed contract

Idioms:

While there aren’t many idioms specifically about contracts under seal, the phrase “by the letter of the law” can relate to how strictly legal documents must be followed, including contracts under seal.

Phrasal Verbs:

• "Seal the deal" – this means to finalize an agreement, which might not always involve a physical seal but indicates that an agreement is made.
• "Draw up a contract" – this means to prepare a contract, which could potentially be a contract under seal.

Summary:

A contract under seal is a formal agreement that is marked with a seal to show it is valid and legally binding. It is often used in serious transactions, and its implications can be different from regular agreements.

Academic

Noun

1. a contract that is signed and has the (wax) seal of the signer attached

Synonyms

• sealed instrument
• special contract