adjective
hermetic
her-MET-ik/hɜːrˈmetɪk/
Sealed against entry from outside.
The ampoule's fused glass tip forms a hermetic seal against outside air.
Etymology
Hermes Trismegistus was credited with inventing a secret seal that made glass tubes airtight. This alchemical association gave “hermetic” its meaning of completely sealed, also applied to isolation from outside influence.
In context
how with better ideas as the airlock cycles closed so does the hermetic seal scp-3125 is shut out
More examples
- Technicians test the chamber to make sure it is hermetic.
- The group lives in a hermetic world, cut off from outsiders.
- A cracked lid breaks the container's hermetic seal.
Forms
hermetic
hermetically adverb — In a way that prevents outside entry.
Similar words
- airtight
- Specifically blocks air, rather than all outside contact or influence.
- sealed
- Closed securely, but not necessarily completely impervious to air.