spell

¹

[ spel ]

verb (used with object)

, spelled or spelt, spell·ing.

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 followed by out ):

   She painfully spelled out the message.

4. to discern or find, as if by reading or study (often followed by out ).
5. to signify; amount to:

   This delay spells disaster for us.

   Synonyms: promise, mean, portend, foretell

verb (used without object)

, spelled or spelt, spell·ing.

1. to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.:

   He spells poorly.

2. to express words by letters, especially correctly.

verb phrase

1. 1. to explain something explicitly, so that the meaning is unmistakable:

      Must I spell it out for you?

   2. to write out in full or enumerate the letters of which a word is composed:

      The title “Ph.D.” is seldom spelled out.

2. to outspell others in a spelling match.

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.

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.

   Synonyms: stretch, bit, while

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)

1. to take the place of for a time; relieve:

   Let me spell you at the wheel.

2. Australian. to declare or give a rest period to.

verb (used without object)

1. Australian. to have or take a rest period.

spell

¹

/ spɛl /

noun

1. a verbal formula considered as having magical force
2. any influence that can control the mind or character; fascination
3. a state induced by or as if by the pronouncing of a spell; trance

   to break the spell

4. under a spell
   held in or as if in a spell

verb

1. rare.
   tr to place under a spell

spell

²

/ spɛl /

noun

1. an indeterminate, usually short, period of time

   a spell of cold weather

2. a period or tour of duty after which one person or group relieves another
3. a period or interval of rest

verb

1. tr to take over from (a person) for an interval of time; relieve temporarily
2. spell a paddock
   to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow

spell

³

/ spɛl /

verb

1. to write or name in correct order the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
2. tr (of letters) to go to make up the conventionally established form of (a word) when arranged correctly

   d-o-g spells dog

3. tr to indicate or signify

   such actions spell disaster for our cause

Derived Forms

• ˈspellable, adjective

Other Words From

• spella·ble adjective
• un·spella·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spell¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English spel(l)en “to mean, signify,” from Old French espeller, espelir, from Germanic; compare Old English spellian “to talk, converse, announce” (derivative of spell “magic charm”); akin to Old High German -spellōn, Old Norse spjall “saying, tale,” Gothic spillōn “to narrate”; spell ²

Origin of spell²

First recorded before 900; Middle English spel “story, tale, narrative,” Old English; cognate with Old High German spel, Old Norse spjall “saying, tale,” Gothic spill “fable, story”; spell ¹, gospel

Origin of spell³

First recorded in 1585–95; (verb) alteration of earlier spel(l)e “to stand in place of, relieve, spare,” Middle English spelen, Old English spelian; akin to Old English spelian “to stand in place of, represent”; spala, gespelia “a substitute”; the noun is derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of spell¹

Old English spell speech; related to Old Norse spjall tale, Gothic spill, Old High German spel

Origin of spell²

Old English spelian to take the place of, of obscure origin

Origin of spell³

C13: from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse spialla to talk, Middle High German spellen

Idioms and Phrases

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

Example Sentences

And that dance she does is really her first spell, her first coming into herself.

From Los Angeles Times

These detailed legal documents spell out the support needed and oblige the child's local authority to provide it.

From BBC

Because farming is uncertain and one bad frost can spell disaster for the season's crops, two-thirds of the women in the study also work full time outside the home.

From Science Daily

Trump has not spelled out what policy he will take on the war in Ukraine, beyond having vowed to end the conflict within a day, though never specifying how he would do so.

From BBC

Both sides had spells of pressure, with neither taking control.

From BBC

Related Words

• add up to
• augur
• indicate
• intend
• portend
• presage
• signify
• suggest