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¹spell

verb \ˈspel\

spelled \ˈspeld, ˈspelt\ spell·ing

Definition of SPELL

transitive verb

: to read slowly and with difficulty —often used with out

: to find out by study : come to understand —often used with out <it requires some pains to spell out those decorations — F. J. Mather>

a (1) : to name the letters of in order; also : to write or print the letters of in order (2) : to write or print the letters of in a particular way

b : to make up (a word) <what word do these letters spell>

c : write 1b <catnip is spelled as one word>

: to add up to : mean <crop failure was likely to spell stark famine — Stringfellow Barr>

intransitive verb

: to form words with letters <teach children to spell>; also : to spell words in a certain way <spells the way he speaks>

Origin of SPELL

Middle English, to mean, signify, read by spelling out letters, from Anglo-French espeleir, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English spellian to relate, spell talk

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with SPELL

bel, bell, belle, cel, cell, dell, dwell, el, ell, fell, gel, Hel, hell, jell, knell, l, mell, quell, sell, shell, smell, snell, swell, tell, well, yell

²spell

noun

Definition of SPELL

a : a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power

b : a state of enchantment

: a strong compelling influence or attraction

Origin of SPELL

Middle English, talk, tale, from Old English; akin to Old High German spel talk, tale

First Known Use: 1579

³spell

transitive verb \ˈspel\

spelled \ˈspeld\ spell·ing

Definition of SPELL

: to put under a spell

First Known Use of SPELL

circa 1623

⁴spell

noun

Definition of SPELL

a archaic : a shift of workers

b : one's turn at work

a : a period spent in a job or occupation

b chiefly Australian : a period of rest from work, activity, or use

a : an indeterminate period of time <waited a spell before advancing>; also : a continuous period of time <did a spell in prison>

b : a stretch of a specified type of weather

: a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder <a spell of coughing> <fainting spells>

Origin of SPELL

probably alteration of Middle English spale substitute, from Old English spala

First Known Use: 1593

⁵spell

verb

spelled \ˈspeld\ spell·ing

Definition of SPELL

transitive verb

: to take the place of for a time : relieve <we spell each other every two hours>

: rest

intransitive verb

: to work in turns

chiefly Australian : to rest from an activity for a time

Origin of SPELL

Middle English spelen, from Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala substitute

First Known Use: 1595

SPELL Defined for Kids

¹spell

verb \ˈspel\

spelledspell·ing

Definition of SPELL for Kids

: to name, write, or print in order the letters of a word

: to make up the letters of <C-A-T spells the word “cat.”>

: to have (such) a spelling <My name is Lynne spelled with an E.>

: to amount to : mean <Another drought would spell famine.>

²spell

noun

Definition of SPELL for Kids

: a spoken word or group of words believed to have magic power : charm

: a very strong influence <Their talking broke the music's spell.>

³spell

noun

Definition of SPELL for Kids

: a short period of time <Come and sit a spell.>

: a stretch of a specified kind of weather <a dry spell> <a warm spell>

: a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder <fainting spells>

: a person's turn at work or duty

: a period spent in a job or occupation <After a spell of teaching, she went back to sales.>

⁴spell

verb

spelledspelling

Definition of SPELL for Kids

: to take the place of for a time : relieve <spell a person at shoveling> <Grandma … took the paddle out of her hand. “I'll spell you, Wilma.” — Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder>

Medical Dictionary