spell 1
— spellable , adj.
/spel/ , v. , spelled or spelt, spelling .
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.): The letters spelled a rather rude word.
3. to read letter by letter or with difficulty (often fol. by out ): She painfully spelled out the message.
4. to discern or find, as if by reading or study (often fol. by out ).
5. to signify; amount to: This delay spells disaster for us.
v.i.
6. to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.: He spells poorly.
7. to express words by letters, esp. correctly.
8. spell down , to outspell others in a spelling match.
9. spell out ,
a. to explain something explicitly, so that the meaning is unmistakable: Must I spell it out for you?
b. to write out in full or enumerate the letters of which a word is composed: The title "Ph.D." is seldom spelled out.
[ 1250-1300; ME spellen espeller spellian to talk, announce (deriv. of spell SPELL 2 ), OHG -spellon, ON spjalla, Goth spillon ]
Syn. 5. foretell, portend, mean, promise.
spell 2
— spellful , adj. — spell-like , adj.
/spel/ , n.
1. a word, phrase, or form of words supposed to have magic power; charm; incantation: The wizard cast a spell.
2. a state or period of enchantment: She was under a spell.
3. any dominating or irresistible influence; fascination: the spell of fine music.
[ bef. 900; ME spell, OE: discourse; c. OHG spel, ON spjall, Goth spill tale; see SPELL 1 , GOSPEL ]
spell 3
/spel/ , n.
1. a continuous course or period of work or other activity: to take a spell at the wheel.
2. a turn of work so taken.
3. a turn, bout, fit, or period of anything experienced or occurring: a spell of coughing.
4. an indefinite interval or space of time: Come visit us for a spell.
5. a period of weather of a specified kind: a hot spell.
6. Australian. a rest period.
7. Archaic. a person or set of persons taking a turn of work to relieve another.
v.t.
8. to take the place of for a time; relieve: Let me spell you at the wheel.
9. Australian. to declare or give a rest period to.
v.i.
10. Australian. to have or take a rest period.
[ 1585-95; (v.) alter. of earlier spele to stand instead of, relieve, spare, ME spelen, OE spelian; akin to OE spala, gespelia a substitute; (n.) akin to the v. (perh. continuing OE gespelia ) ]
Syn. 4. while, bit, piece.