Definition of spell
spelled
play play \ˈspeld, ˈspelt\;spelling
transitive verb
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 wayb : to make up (a word) what word do these letters spellc : write 1b catnip is spelled as one word
4 : 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
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology 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
spell
Definition of spell
1a : a spoken word or form of words held to have magic powerb : a state of enchantment
2 : a strong compelling influence or attraction
Origin and Etymology of spell
Middle English, talk, tale, from Old English; akin to Old High German spel talk, tale
First Known Use of spell
circa 1623
spell
Definition of spell
1a archaic : a shift of workersb : one's turn at work
2a : a period spent in a job or occupationb 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 prisonb : a stretch of a specified type of weather
4 : a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder a spell of coughing fainting spells
Origin and Etymology of spell
probably alteration of Middle English spale substitute, from Old English spala
Origin and Etymology of spell
Middle English spelen, from Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala substitute
SPELL Defined for Kids
Definition of spell for Students
spelled
;spelling
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.
Definition of spell for Students
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.
Medical Dictionary
spell
playMedical Definition of spell
: a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder a spell of coughing fainting spells
Learn More about spell
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See words that rhyme with spell Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spell Spanish Central: Translation of spell Nglish: Translation of spell for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of spell for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spell
Seen and Heard
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