seal door; speak definitively; mourning custom
Meanings
3 senses · 9 examplesverb
to seal a door (with an official seal); to close off entry
Commonly used by authorities, landlords, or courts to prohibit access to a building or room.
The court sealed the door of that illegal building.
Because the rent was three months overdue, the landlord sealed the shop.
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The warehouse was officially sealed with a seal posted on the door.
verb
to speak definitively; to refuse to reconsider; to close the door on discussion
informalOften used with the optional suffix 儿 (封门儿). Implies a final, irrevocable statement.
After a few words he closed the door on any further discussion and refused to give in.
We haven't finished discussing this matter yet, so don't speak so definitively.
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He made it final, saying this matter is absolutely impossible.
verb
to cover door couplets with white paper (mourning custom)
archaicTraditional custom in some regions when an elder died, indicating the household is in mourning.
According to old customs, when an elder in the family passed away, the door had to be sealed.
In old times, sealing the door was done to indicate there was a funeral in the household.
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That family was holding a funeral, and white paper was pasted on the door to seal it.