n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: spelled \ ' speld \ ; spell · ing
Etymology: Middle English spelen, from Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala substitute
Date: 1595
transitive verb
1 : to take the place of for a time : RELIEVE <he and the other assistant ⋯ spell ed each other ― Mary McCarthy>
2 : REST
intransitive verb
1 : to work in turns
2 chiefly Australian : to rest from work or activity for a time