I. ˈspel verb
( spelled ˈspeld, ˈspelt ; spell·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, to mean, signify, read by spelling out letters, from Anglo-French espeleir, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English spellian to relate, spell talk
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to read slowly and with difficulty — often used with out
2. : to find out by study : come to understand — often used with out
it requires some pains to spell out those decorations — F. J. Mather
3.
a.
(1) : to name the letters of in order ; also : to write or print the letters of in order
(2) : to write or print the letters of in a particular way
you can spell it either way
I spell ed it wrong
b. : to make up (a word)
what word do these letters spell
c. : write 1b
catnip is spell ed as one word
4. : to add up to : mean
crop failure was likely to spell stark famine — Stringfellow Barr
intransitive verb
: to form words with letters
teach children to spell
also : to spell words in a certain way
spell s the way he speaks
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, talk, tale, from Old English; akin to Old High German spel talk, tale
Date: 1579
1.
a. : a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power
b. : a state of enchantment
2. : a strong compelling influence or attraction
III. ˈspel transitive verb
( spelled ˈspeld ; spell·ing )
Date: circa 1623
: to put under a spell
IV. noun
Etymology: probably alteration of Middle English spale substitute, from Old English spala
Date: 1593
1.
a. archaic : a shift of workers
b. : one's turn at work
2.
a. : a period spent in a job or occupation
b. chiefly Australian : a period of rest from work, activity, or use
3.
a. : an indeterminate period of time
waited a spell before advancing
also : a continuous period of time
did a spell in prison
b. : a stretch of a specified type of weather
4. : a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder
a spell of coughing
fainting spell s
V. verb
( spelled ˈspeld ; 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