spell 1
(spĕl)v. spelled or spelt (spĕlt), spell·ing, spells
v.tr.1. To name or write in order the letters constituting (a word).
2. To constitute the letters of (a word): These letters spell animal.
3. To add up to; signify: Their unwise investment could spell financial ruin.
v.intr. To name or write in order the letters of a word or words: I've never been able to spell very well.
Phrasal Verbs: spell down To defeat in a spelling bee.
spell out1. To make clear and explicit: asked him to spell out his objectives.
2. To name or write in order the letters that constitute (a word or part of a word): spelled out my name.
[Middle English spellen, to read letter by letter, from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin.]
spell 2
(spĕl)n.1. a. A word or formula believed to have magic power.
b. A bewitched state or trance: The sorcerer put the prince under a spell.
2. A compelling attraction; charm or fascination: the spell of the theater.
tr.v. spelled,
spell·ing,
spells To put (someone) under a spell; bewitch.
[Middle English, discourse, from Old English.]
spell 3
(spĕl)n.1. A short, indefinite period of time.
2. Informal A period of weather of a particular kind: a dry spell.
3. a. One's turn at work.
b. A period of work; a shift.
4. Australian A period of rest.
5. Informal A period of physical or mental disorder or distress: a dizzy spell.
6. Informal A short distance.
v. spelled, spell·ing, spells
v.tr.1. To relieve (someone) from work temporarily by taking a turn.
2. To allow (someone) to rest a while.
v.intr.1. To take turns working.
2. Australian To rest for a time from an activity.
[From Middle English spelen, to spare, from Old English spelian, to represent, substitute for.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
spell
(spɛl) vb,
spells,
spelling,
spelt or spelled1. to write or name in correct order the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
2. (tr) (of letters) to go to make up the conventionally established form of (a word) when arranged correctly: d-o-g spells dog.
3. (tr) to indicate or signify: such actions spell disaster for our cause.
[C13: from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse spialla to talk, Middle High German spellen]
ˈspellable adj
spell
(spɛl) n1. (Alternative Belief Systems) a verbal formula considered as having magical force
2. any influence that can control the mind or character; fascination
3. a state induced by or as if by the pronouncing of a spell; trance: to break the spell.
4. under a spell held in or as if in a spell
vb (tr) rare to place under a spell
[Old English spell speech; related to Old Norse spjall tale, Gothic spill, Old High German spel]
spell
(spɛl) n1. an indeterminate, usually short, period of time: a spell of cold weather.
2. a period or tour of duty after which one person or group relieves another
3. Scot and Austral and NZ a period or interval of rest
vb4. (tr) to take over from (a person) for an interval of time; relieve temporarily
5. (Agriculture) spell a paddock NZ to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow
[Old English spelian to take the place of, of obscure origin]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
spell1
(spɛl)
v. spelled spelt, spell•ing. v.t. 1. to name, write, or otherwise give the letters, in order, of (a word, syllable, etc.): Did I spell your name right?
2. (of letters) to form (a word, syllable, etc.): Y-e-s spells yes.
3. to read letter by letter or with difficulty (often fol. by out).
4. to signify; amount to: This delay spells disaster for us.
v.i. 5. to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc., esp. correctly.
6. to express words by letters: to spell in front of the children.
7. spell out, a. to explain something plainly, so that the meaning is unmistakable: Must I spell it out for you?
b. to write out in full: The title “Ph.D.” is seldom spelled out.
c. to discern, as by study.
[1250–1300; Middle English < Old French
espeller < Germanic; compare Old English
spellian to talk, announce (derivative of
spell spell2), Old High German
-spellōn, Old Norse
spjalla, Gothic
spillon]
spell2
(spɛl)
n. 1. a word or phrase supposed to have magic power; incantation.
2. a state or period of enchantment: living under a spell.
3. any dominating or irresistible influence; fascination: the spell of fine music.
[before 900; Old English; c. Old High German spel, Old Norse spjall, Gothic spill tale]
spell3
(spɛl)
n. 1. a continuous period of work or other activity: to take a spell at the wheel.
2. a turn of work so taken.
3. a bout, fit, or period of anything experienced: a spell of coughing.
4. an indefinite period: Come visit us for a spell.
5. a period of weather of a specified kind: a hot spell.
6. Archaic. a shift of workers relieving another.
v.t. 7. to take the place of for a time; relieve: Let me spell you at the wheel.
v.i. 8. to take turns at a job.
[1585–95; (v.) alter. of earlier spele to stand instead of, relieve, spare, Middle English spelen, Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala, gespelia a substitute]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.