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

He explained the abrupt end of his spell as a precaution over some stiffness in his back.

From BBC

Greenwood told BBC Radio 5 Live the adaptations worked well "in spells" but improvements can still be made.

From BBC

That game was the nadir of a seven Premier League match spell where Odegaard was absent with an ankle sprain.

From BBC

This quiet spell was, on the face of it, something of a surprise.

From BBC

When England were making 823-7 in Pakistan, the sort of number a vidiprinter would have to spell out, Pope was out for a duck.

From BBC

Related Words

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