spell */*/

spell */*/
I UK [spel] / US verb
Word forms "spell":
present tense I/you/we/they spell he/she/it spells present participle spelling past tense spelt UK [spelt] or spelled past participle spelt or spelled
1) [transitive] to know the letters of a word in the correct order

Can you spell the word "beautiful"?

a) [transitive] to say or write the letters of a word in the correct order

You've spelt my name wrong.

b) [intransitive] to have a good knowledge of the way that words are written

Her writing is neat, but she can't spell.

c) [transitive] if a series of letters spells a word, they make that word. This is usually used by children and teachers

L-O-V-E spells "love".

2) [transitive] to show that something is going to happen, usually something bad

The news spelled the death of the US car industry.

spell disaster/trouble:

There's a determined look about him which can only spell trouble for his rivals.

3) [transitive] American informal to do someone's work for a short time, so that they can rest

I'd better go spell Mitch for a couple of hours.

Phrasal verbs:
II UK [spel] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "spell":
singular spell plural spells
1)
a) a period of time, usually a short one

a two-week spell in hospital

a brief/short spell:

After a short spell in the army, I went to college.

b) a period when there is a particular type of weather
a hot/cold/wet/dry spell:

A prolonged wet spell causes trouble for fruit farmers.

2) a time when you suddenly feel ill
fainting/dizzy spell:

He's had another of his dizzy spells.

3) a powerful influence on someone, usually an influence that makes them admire or obey another person
fall/be under someone's spell:

He was not the first man to fall under her spell.

cast a spell on someone:

The beautiful island seemed to have cast a spell on him.

4) words or actions that are intended to make magic things happen
cast/put a spell on:

The witch cast a spell on him and turned him into a beast.

break the spell (= end it):

What did the princess do to break the spell?


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Spell — Spell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spelled}or {Spelt}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Spelling}.] [OE. spellen, spellien, tell, relate, AS. spellian, fr. spell a saying, tale; akin to MHG. spellen to relate, Goth. spill?n.e {Spell} a tale. In sense 4 and those… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spell — can be: *Spell (paranormal) * Spell (recipe) * The Spell , a novel * *Spell (band), a musical group consisting of Boyd Rice and Rose McDowall *The Spells, an American indie rock band of the late 1990s consisting of Carrie Brownstein and Mary… …   Wikipedia

  • spell — spell1 [spel] n. [ME < OE, a saying, tale, charm, akin to Goth spill, tale < ? IE base * (s)pel , to speak loudly] 1. a word, formula, or form of words thought to have some magic power; incantation 2. seemingly magical power or irresistible …   English World dictionary

  • spell — Ⅰ. spell [1] ► VERB (past and past part. spelled or chiefly Brit. spelt) 1) write or name the letters that form (a word) in correct sequence. 2) (of letters) make up or form (a word). 3) be a sign of; lead to: the plans would spell disaster. 4) …   English terms dictionary

  • Spell — Spell, n. 1. 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. [1913 Webster] A spell at the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spell — n Spell, shift, tour, trick, turn, stint, bout, go can mean a limited period or amount of some activity that often follows a schedule. Spell is ordinarily used in reference to very heavy or trying work which must be interrupted by a period of… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Spell — Spell, n.[AS. spell a saying, tale, speech; akin to OS. & OHG. spel, Icel. spjall,Goth. spill. Cf. {Gospel}, {Spell} to tell the letters of.] 1. A story; a tale. [Obs.] Hearken to my spell. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. A stanza, verse, or phrase… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spell — [n1] interval, period bit, bout, course, go, hitch, interlude, intermission, patch, relay, season, shift, space, stint, streak, stretch, term, time, tour, tour of duty, trick, turn, while; concepts 807,817,822 spell [n2] magical aura over an… …   New thesaurus

  • Spell — Spell, v. i. 1. To form words with letters, esp. with the proper letters, either orally or in writing. [1913 Webster] When what small knowledge was, in them did dwell, And he a god, who could but read or spell. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. To study… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spell — Spell, n. [OE. speld, AS. speld a spill to light a candle with; akin to D. speld a pin, OD. spelle, G. spalten to split, OHG. spaltan, MHG. spelte a splinter, Icel. spjald a square tablet, Goth. spilda a writing tablet. Cf. {Spill}splinter, roll… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Spell — Spell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Spelling}.] [AS. spelian to supply another s place.] To supply the place of for a time; to take the turn of, at work; to relieve; as, to spell the helmsman. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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