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spell

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spell

1  [spel] verb, spelled or spelt, spell⋅ing.
Use spell in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
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.
–verb (used without object)
6. to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.: He spells poorly.
7. to express words by letters, esp. correctly.
—Verb phrases
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.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME spellen < OF espeller < Gmc; cf. OE spellian to talk, announce (deriv. of spell spell 2 ), OHG -spellōn, ON spjalla, Goth spillōn

Related forms:
spell⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
5. foretell, portend, mean, promise.
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spell

2  [spel] ,
–noun
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.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME spell, OE: discourse; c. OHG spel, ON spjall, Goth spill tale; see spell 1 , gospel

Related forms:
spellful, adjective
spell-like, adjective

spell

3  [spel] ,
–noun
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.
–verb (used with object)
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.
–verb (used without object)
10. Australian. to have or take a rest period.
Origin:
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)

Synonyms:
4. while, bit, piece.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To spell
spell 1   (spěl)   
v.   spelled or spelt (spělt), spell·ing, spells

v.   tr.

  1. To name or write in order the letters constituting (a word or part of 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 form words by means of letters.
Phrasal Verb(s):
spell downTo defeat in a spelling bee.
spell out

  1. To make explicit and clear: 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   (spěl)   
n.  

    1. A word or formula believed to have magic power.

    2. A bewitched state; a trance.

  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   (spěl)   
n.  

  1. A short, indefinite period of time.

  2. Informal A period of weather of a particular kind: a dry spell.

    1. One's turn at work.

    2. 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 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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

spell  (v.1)
"name the letters of," O.E. spellian "to tell, speak," infl. by O.Fr. espeller "declare, spell," from Frank. *spellon "to tell;" both O.E. and Frank. from P.Gmc. *spellan (cf. O.H.G. spellon "to tell," O.N. spjalla, Goth. spillon "to talk, tell"), from PIE *spel- "to say aloud, recite." Meaning "write or say the letters of a word" is c.1400, from notion of "read letter by letter, read with difficulty" (c.1300). Spell out "explain step-by-step" is first recorded 1940, Amer.Eng. Spelling bee is from 1878 (earlier simply spelling, 1860).

spell  (n.)
"incantation, charm," O.E. spell "story, speech," from P.Gmc. *spellan (cf. O.N. spjall, O.H.G. spel, Goth. spill "report, discourse, tale;" Ger. Beispiel "example;" see spell (v.1)). Meaning "set of words with magical powers, incantation, charm" first recorded 1579. Spellbound is attested from 1799, from bound "fastened."
"The term 'spell' is generally used for magical procedures which cause harm, or force people to do something against their will -- unlike charms for healing, protection, etc." ["Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore"]

spell  (v.2)
"work in place of (another)," O.E. spelian "to take the place of," related to gespelia "substitute," of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to spilian "to play" (see spiel). The noun meaning "indefinite period of time" first recorded 1706.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: spell
Pronunciation: 'spel
Function: noun
: a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder spell of coughing> spells>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Computing Dictionary

spell
incantation

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Idioms & Phrases

spell

In addition to the idiom beginning with spell, also see cold snap (spell); under someone's spell.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Encyclopedia

spell

words uttered in a set formula with magical intent. The correct recitation, often with accompanying gestures, is considered to unleash supernatural power. Some societies believe that incorrect recitation can not only nullify the magic but cause the death of the practitioner.

Learn more about spell with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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