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Glite Dictionary
break seal

break seal

6.1
A seal that breaks when a package is opened to show if someone opened it
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : sello de ruptura
  • If the break seal is missing or damaged, do not use the product.

Examples

  • The break seal on the package was intact.

  • The medicine was packaged with a break seal to ensure its contents remained uncontaminated.

  • Each laboratory sample was secured with a break seal to maintain its integrity.

  • The break seals on these containers ensure freshness.

  • The break seal on the medicine bottle indicates it has not been opened yet.

  • He carefully broke the break seal to access the confidential documents inside the envelope.

  • The packaging featured a bright red break seal to ensure customers knew it was safe.

Antonyms

to seal
457 2.5

To close something tightly to stop air or water getting in

to secure
347 3.3

To fasten firmly so it cannot move or be taken

Surface Forms

break seal singular
break seals plural

Morphology

break + seal

The noun meaning is directly and compositionally predictable from 'break' (to fracture or open) + 'seal' (a closure or tamper-preventing material): a seal that is meant to be broken on first use. This is a straightforward nominal compound describing function, so a B1 learner who knows both words would reasonably infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Break seal: The noun break seal comes from a simple idea: a tight seal that you must break the first time you open a package. Breaking it gives clear proof that the thing was 'opened' or 'tampered with' before 'first use'.