Definition of spell
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a(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 sense 1b
Catnip is spelled as one word.
2
: to add up to : mean
crop failure was likely to spell stark famine— Stringfellow Barr
3
: to find out by study : come to understand
—often used with out it requires some pains to spell out those decorations— F. J. Mather
4
: to read slowly and with difficulty
—often used with out
: to form words with letters
teach children to spell
also
: to spell words in a certain way
spells the way he speaks
spell
noun (1)Definition of spell (Entry 2 of 5)
1a
: a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power
b
: a state of enchantment
2
: a strong compelling influence or attraction
spell
verb (2)Definition of spell (Entry 3 of 5)
: to put under a spell
spell
noun (2)Definition of spell (Entry 4 of 5)
1a
: 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
2
: a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder
a spell of coughing fainting spells
3a
: a period spent in a job or occupation
b
chiefly Australia
: a period of rest from work, activity, or use
4a
: one's turn at work
b
archaic
: a shift of workers
spell
verb (3)Definition of spell (Entry 5 of 5)
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for spell
The first known use of spell was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century