spell
verb (1)
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ˈspelt
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spelling
Definition of spell
(Entry 1 of 5)
1 : to read slowly and with difficulty —often used with out
2 : to find out by study : come to understand —often used with out it requires some pains to spell out those decorations— F. J. Mather
3a(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
4 : to add up to : mean crop failure was likely to spell stark famine— Stringfellow Barr
: 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)
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spelling
Definition of spell (Entry 3 of 5)
: to put under a spell
spell
noun (2)Definition of spell (Entry 4 of 5)
1a archaic : a shift of workers
b : one's turn at work
2a : a period spent in a job or occupation
b chiefly Australia : a period of rest from work, activity, or use
3a : 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
4 : a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder a spell of coughing fainting spells
spell
verb (3)
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spelling
Definition of spell (Entry 5 of 5)
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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
Spelling Out the History of 'Spell'
Spelling Out the History of 'Spell'
Language is magic! (And also requires a lot of studying.)
Statistics for spell
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for spell
The first known use of spell was in the 14th century
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More Definitions for spell
spell
verb
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Kids Definition of spell
(Entry 1 of 4)
1 : to name, write, or print in order the letters of a word
2 : to make up the letters of C-A-T spells the word “cat.”
3 : to have (such) a spelling My name is Lynne spelled with an E.
4 : to amount to : mean Another drought would spell famine.
spell
nounKids Definition of spell (Entry 2 of 4)
1 : a spoken word or group of words believed to have magic power : charm
2 : a very strong influence Their talking broke the music's spell.
spell
nounKids Definition of spell (Entry 3 of 4)
1 : a short period of time Come and sit a spell.
2 : a stretch of a specified kind of weather a dry spell a warm spell
3 : a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder fainting spells
4 : a person's turn at work or duty
5 : a period spent in a job or occupation After a spell of teaching, she went back to sales.
spell
verbKids Definition of spell (Entry 4 of 4)
: 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
spell
noun
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Medical Definition of spell
: a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder a spell of coughing fainting spells
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