scellé

Scellé is a French term that functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, scellé (masculine) or scellée (feminine) describes something that has been sealed, closed, or secured by a seal. As a noun, scellé can refer to the sealed item itself or to the seal device used to secure it. The word comes from the verb sceller, related to the noun sceau (seal).

In legal and administrative contexts, the phrase mis sous scellés or mis sous scellé indicates that an object or document has been placed under official seal and may not be opened except by order of a competent authority. A dossier, a piece of evidence, or even a room can be described as being under scellés. Seals may be wax, metal, or modern tamper-evident devices, and they serve to preserve integrity, confidentiality, or the chain of custody during investigations, trials, or civil proceedings.

Common uses include archives and notarial acts, where documents are kept in a sealed state; customs and border control, where packages may be sealed to prevent tampering; and judicial settings, where evidence or assets are placed under seal pending a decision. The term also appears in everyday language to denote any sealed container or envelope.

Translation and usage notes: scellé is typically translated as sealed or sealed document. The phrase sous scellés is rendered as under seal or placed under seal, emphasizing official preservation and restricted access.