unversiegelter

Unversiegelter is a German adjective form meaning not sealed. It derives from the negating prefix un- combined with versiegelt (sealed) and is used to describe objects that have not been secured with a seal. The base form unversiegelt is the participle and serves as the stem for declined forms such as unversiegelter, unversiegeltes, or unversiegelten, depending on gender, number, and case.

Usage and examples

The term is commonly employed in contexts involving packaging, mail, documents, or containers to indicate that a seal has not been applied or is absent. Examples include ein unversiegelter Brief (an unsealed letter), ein unversiegelter Umschlag, or ein unversiegeltes Dokument. The form unversiegelter is used in attributive position with masculine singular nouns in the nominative case, as in ein unversiegelter Brief. It also appears in other cases and in feminine or neuter forms (eine unversiegelte Karte, ein unversiegeltes Behältnis) according to standard German adjective declension.

Semantic nuance

Unversiegelt contrasts with versiegelt (sealed) and with offen (open), though the exact nuance depends on context. An unversiegelter Gegenstand may indicate that its integrity, authenticity, or chain of custody has not been formally secured by a seal. In some domains, such as logistics, law, or data security, the term can carry implications about inspection status or readiness for verification.

Related terms

Related words include Versiegelung (the act or result of sealing) and versiegelt (sealed). The concept is also related to common expressions for opened or opened packaging, though unversiegelt emphasizes the absence of a seal rather than the mere state of being open.