sb. and a. [ad. F. sphragistique or Gr. σφρᾱγιστικ-ός, f. σφρᾱγίς seal.]
A. sb. pl. The scientific study or knowledge of seals or signet rings.
1836. Partington’s Brit. Cycl., Lit., etc. III. 837/1. Sphragistics, a branch of diplomatics which teaches the history of seals and the means which they afford of determining the genuineness of the documents to which they are attached.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to, relating to or dealing with, seals or signet rings.
1884. Athenæum, 10 May, 602. His unrivalled knowledge of sphragistic archæology.
1887. Wyon, Gt. Seals Eng., Intro. p. xvii. The Seals follow and illustrate the progress, culmination, and decadence of the successive styles of English sphragistic art.
