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Definitions for Spell

[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.
[6] to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.: He spells poorly.
[7] to express words by letters, especially correctly.
[8] spell down , to outspell others in a spelling match.
[9] spell out , to explain something explicitly, so that the meaning is unmistakable: Must I spell it out for you? to write out in full or enumerate the letters of which a word is composed: The title “Ph.D.” is seldom spelled out.
[10] a word, phrase, or form of words supposed to have magic power; charm; incantation: The wizard cast a spell.
[11] a state or period of enchantment: She was under a spell.
[12] any dominating or irresistible influence; fascination: the spell of fine music.
[13] a continuous course or period of work or other activity: to take a spell at the wheel.
[14] a turn of work so taken.
[15] a turn, bout, fit, or period of anything experienced or occurring: a spell of coughing.
[16] an indefinite interval or space of time: Come visit us for a spell.
[17] a period of weather of a specified kind: a hot spell.
[18] Australian . a rest period.
[19] Archaic . a person or set of persons taking a turn of work to relieve another.
[20] to take the place of for a time; relieve: Let me spell you at the wheel.
[21] Australian . to declare or give a rest period to.
[22] Australian . to have or take a rest period.
[23] to write or name in correct order the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
[24] (tr) (of letters) to go to make up the conventionally established form of (a word) when arranged correctly d-o-g spells dog
[25] (tr) to indicate or signify such actions spell disaster for our cause
[26] a verbal formula considered as having magical force
[27] any influence that can control the mind or character; fascination
[28] a state induced by or as if by the pronouncing of a spell; trance to break the spell
[29] under a spell held in or as if in a spell
[30] (tr) rare to place under a spell
[31] an indeterminate, usually short, period of time a spell of cold weather
[32] a period or tour of duty after which one person or group relieves another
[33] Scot , Australian and NZ a period or interval of rest
[34] (tr) to take over from (a person) for an interval of time; relieve temporarily
[35] spell a paddock NZ to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow

Words related to Spell

streak, bout, stint, illness, spasm, signify, suggest, intend, portend, indicate, augur, presage, breathe, intermission, term, relay, space, stretch, shift, tour

Words nearby Spell

speke, spelaean, speleology, speleotherapy, spelk, spell, spell checker, spell out, spell-check, spellbind, spellbinder

Origin of Spell

31585–95; (v.) alteration of earlier spele to stand instead of, relieve, spare, Middle English spelen, Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala, gespelia a substitute; (noun) akin to the v. (perhaps continuing Old English gespelia )

Other words from Spell

spell·a·ble , adjective
un·spell·a·ble , adjective
spell·ful , adjective
spell-like , adjective

Word origin for Spell

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

Synonyms for Spell

bout, stint, streak, bit, course, go, hitch, interlude, intermission, patch, relay, season, shift, space, stretch, term, time, tour, trick, turn, while, tour of duty