What does the word "literal" or "actual" mean as in a literal or actual something?

Question

I mean like when someone uses a certain word with more than one meaning, they often say it's a "literal" something. For example: (something I made up)
"John's corporate seal logo for his company has a literal seal on it"

"The sign-in seal for his Yahoo account is a picture of an actual seal"

What is a "literal" seal exactly? What is the usage of the word "literal"? Literal and actual are supposed to mean exactly, so what does it mean in this context?

Greybeard · Answer

"John's corporate seal logo for his company has a literal seal on it” is not idiomatic; “an actual seal on it” as far preferable.
“Literal” = “within the true meaning (or dictionary definition) of the word” – however “seal” has several “true meanings” – it can refer to several sorts of seal – they can be of a metal/plastic/paper/printed ink, etc. or, of sealing wax . Thus “literal as so vague as to be meaningless.
However, “actual” usually refers the reader to the most traditional form of a seal in the context, and in the context that you have given, “seal” would be one of sealing wax and embossed with some legend.
That said, the example is flawed as seal could also be the pinniped animal - a seal - or a seal of sealing wax. You will have to rewrite the sentence.
OED

Literal
c. Of, relating to, or designating the primary, original, or
etymological sense of a word, or the exact sense expressed by the
actual wording of a phrase or passage, as distinguished from any
extended sense, metaphorical meaning, or underlying significance.

Actual
b. As an intensifier.
(a) In weakened use, emphasizing the exact or particular identity of
a following noun: precise, exact.

What does the word "literal" or "actual" mean as in a literal or actual something?

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