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spelled - 5 dictionary results

spell

1  [spel] verb, spelled or spelt, spell⋅ing.
Use spelled 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.

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 spelled
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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