Definitions for spellspɛl

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

spellspɛl(v.)spelled; spelt, spell•ing.

(v.t.)to name, write, or otherwise give the letters, in order, of (a word, syllable, etc.):
Did I spell your name right?
Category: Language/Linguistics
(of letters) to form (a word, syllable, etc.):
Y-e-s spells yes.
Category: Language/Linguistics, Common Vocabulary
to read letter by letter or with difficulty (often fol. by out).
to signify; amount to:
This delay spells disaster for us.
(v.i.)to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc., esp. correctly.
Category: Language/Linguistics
to express words by letters:
to spell in front of the children.
Category: Language/Linguistics
spell out, to explain something plainly, so that the meaning is unmistakable: to write out in full: to discern, as by study.
Must I spell it out for you?
The title “Ph.D.” is seldom spelled out.
Category: Verb Phrase

Origin of spell:

1250–1300; ME < OF espeller < Gmc; cf. OE spellian to talk, announce (der. of spellspell2), OHG -spellōn, ON spjalla, Go spillon

spellspɛl(n.)

a word or phrase supposed to have magic power; incantation.
a state or period of enchantment:
living under a spell.
any dominating or irresistible influence; fascination:
the spell of fine music.

Origin of spell:

bef. 900; OE; c. OHG spel, ON spjall, Go spill tale

spellspɛl(n.)

a continuous period of work or other activity:
to take a spell at the wheel.
a turn of work so taken.
a bout, fit, or period of anything experienced:
a spell of coughing.
an indefinite period:
Come visit us for a spell.
a period of weather of a specified kind:
a hot spell.
Archaic. a shift of workers relieving another.
(v.t.)to take the place of for a time; relieve:
Let me spell you at the wheel.
(v.i.)to take turns at a job.

Origin of spell:

1585–95; (v.) alter. of earlier spele to stand instead of, relieve, spare, ME spelen, OE spelian; akin to OE spala, gespelia a substitute

Princeton's WordNet

enchantment, spell, trance(noun)
a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
go, spell, tour, turn(noun)
a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
"it's my go"; "a spell of work"
while, piece, spell, patch(noun)
a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
"he was here for a little while"; "I need to rest for a piece"; "a spell of good weather"; "a patch of bad weather"
spell, magic spell, magical spell, charm(verb)
a verbal formula believed to have magical force
"he whispered a spell as he moved his hands"; "inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese"
spell, spell out(verb)
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
"How do you spell this word?" "We had to spell out our names for the police officer"
spell, import(verb)
indicate or signify
"I'm afraid this spells trouble!"
spell, write(verb)
write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
"He spelled the word wrong in this letter"
spell(verb)
relieve (someone) from work by taking a turn
"She spelled her husband at the wheel"
spell(verb)
place under a spell
spell(verb)
take turns working
"the workers spell every four hours"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

spell(verb)ɛl
to choose or be the letters needed to make a word
How do you spell your name?; I've never been able to spell.
spellɛl
to be an indication or sign
a recent polls that spells trouble for the current president
spell(noun)ɛl
a short period of time
He spent a short spell in France before college.
spellɛl
magic words said to make sth happen
The witch cast a spell on him.

Webster Dictionary

Spell(noun)
a spelk, or splinter
Spell(verb)
to supply the place of for a time; to take the turn of, at work; to relieve; as, to spell the helmsman
Spell(noun)
the relief of one person by another in any piece of work or watching; also, a turn at work which is carried on by one person or gang relieving another; as, a spell at the pumps; a spell at the masthead
Spell(noun)
the time during which one person or gang works until relieved; hence, any relatively short period of time, whether a few hours, days, or weeks
Spell(noun)
one of two or more persons or gangs who work by spells
Spell(noun)
a gratuitous helping forward of another's work; as, a logging spell
Spell(noun)
a story; a tale
Spell(noun)
a stanza, verse, or phrase supposed to be endowed with magical power; an incantation; hence, any charm
Spell(verb)
to tell; to relate; to teach
Spell(verb)
to put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm
Spell(verb)
to constitute; to measure
Spell(verb)
to tell or name in their proper order letters of, as a word; to write or print in order the letters of, esp. the proper letters; to form, as words, by correct orthography
Spell(verb)
to discover by characters or marks; to read with difficulty; -- usually with out; as, to spell out the sense of an author; to spell out a verse in the Bible
Spell(verb)
to form words with letters, esp. with the proper letters, either orally or in writing
Spell(verb)
to study by noting characters; to gain knowledge or learn the meaning of anything, by study