versiegelt

Versiegelt is the past participle and adjective of the German verb versiegeln. It describes something that has been closed or secured with a seal in order to prevent unauthorized opening or to preserve integrity. The seal can be physical, such as wax, metal stamps, plastic seals, or tamper-evident tape, or it can be used metaphorically in other contexts.

In physical contexts, items that are versiegelt are typically packaging, containers, letters, or doors that have been sealed to show they have not been opened since sealing. Tamper-evident seals are common in shipping, logistics, and handling of sensitive goods, where breaking the seal signals potential tampering.

In legal and administrative contexts, the phrase often appears as amtlich versiegelt, indicating that an official seal has been applied to a document, evidence, or a certificate. This signifies authenticity and integrity and is used for court exhibits, notarized papers, and certain government communications.

In information technology and data security, the term appears less frequently. When used, it is often to describe a tamper-evident process or a digital seal; however, the more standard terms in German are digitale Signatur or Siegel. The general concept remains the same: a seal serves to attest integrity and prevent unnoticed modification.

Etymology and related terms: versiegelt derives from Siegel (seal) with the prefix ver-, indicating sealing or rendering secure. Related nouns include die Versiegelung and das Siegel.