SPELL

n. & v. --n. 1 a short or fairly short period (a cold spell in April). 2 a turn of work (did a spell of woodwork). 3 Austral. a period of rest from work. --v. 1 tr. a relieve or take the place of (a person) in work etc. b allow to rest briefly. 2 intr. Austral. take a brief rest. [earlier as verb: later form of dial. spele take place of f. OE spelian, of unkn. orig.]