spell


Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

spell 1

 (spĕl)
v. spelled or spelt (spĕlt), spell·ing, spells
v.tr.
1. To name or write in order the letters constituting (a word).
2. To constitute the letters of (a word): These letters spell animal.
3. To add up to; signify: Their unwise investment could spell financial ruin.
v.intr.
To name or write in order the letters of a word or words: I've never been able to spell very well.
Phrasal Verbs:
spell down
To defeat in a spelling bee.
spell out
1. To make clear and explicit: asked him to spell out his objectives.
2. To name or write in order the letters that constitute (a word or part of a word): spelled out my name.

[Middle English spellen, to read letter by letter, from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin.]

spell 2

 (spĕl)
n.
1.
a. A word or formula believed to have magic power.
b. A bewitched state or trance: The sorcerer put the prince under a spell.
2. A compelling attraction; charm or fascination: the spell of the theater.
tr.v. spelled, spell·ing, spells
To put (someone) under a spell; bewitch.

[Middle English, discourse, from Old English.]

spell 3

 (spĕl)
n.
1. A short, indefinite period of time.
2. Informal A period of weather of a particular kind: a dry spell.
3.
a. One's turn at work.
b. A period of work; a shift.
4. Australian A period of rest.
5. Informal A period of physical or mental disorder or distress: a dizzy spell.
6. Informal A short distance.
v. spelled, spell·ing, spells
v.tr.
1. To relieve (someone) from work temporarily by taking a turn.
2. To allow (someone) to rest a while.
v.intr.
1. To take turns working.
2. Australian To rest for a time from an activity.

[From Middle English spelen, to spare, from Old English spelian, to represent, substitute for.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

spell

(spɛl)
vb, spells, spelling, spelt or spelled
1. to write or name in correct order the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
2. (tr) (of letters) to go to make up the conventionally established form of (a word) when arranged correctly: d-o-g spells dog.
3. (tr) to indicate or signify: such actions spell disaster for our cause.
[C13: from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse spialla to talk, Middle High German spellen]
ˈspellable adj

spell

(spɛl)
n
1. (Alternative Belief Systems) a verbal formula considered as having magical force
2. any influence that can control the mind or character; fascination
3. a state induced by or as if by the pronouncing of a spell; trance: to break the spell.
4. under a spell held in or as if in a spell
vb
(tr) rare to place under a spell
[Old English spell speech; related to Old Norse spjall tale, Gothic spill, Old High German spel]

spell

(spɛl)
n
1. an indeterminate, usually short, period of time: a spell of cold weather.
2. a period or tour of duty after which one person or group relieves another
3. Scot and Austral and NZ a period or interval of rest
vb
4. (tr) to take over from (a person) for an interval of time; relieve temporarily
5. (Agriculture) spell a paddock NZ to give a field a rest period by letting it lie fallow
[Old English spelian to take the place of, of obscure origin]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

spell1

(spɛl)

v. spelled spelt, spell•ing. v.t.
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.): Y-e-s spells yes.
3. to read letter by letter or with difficulty (often fol. by out).
4. to signify; amount to: This delay spells disaster for us.
v.i.
5. to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc., esp. correctly.
6. to express words by letters: to spell in front of the children.
7. spell out,
a. to explain something plainly, so that the meaning is unmistakable: Must I spell it out for you?
b. to write out in full: The title “Ph.D.” is seldom spelled out.
c. to discern, as by study.
[1250–1300; Middle English < Old French espeller < Germanic; compare Old English spellian to talk, announce (derivative of spell spell2), Old High German -spellōn, Old Norse spjalla, Gothic spillon]

spell2

(spɛl)

n.
1. a word or phrase supposed to have magic power; incantation.
2. a state or period of enchantment: living under a spell.
3. any dominating or irresistible influence; fascination: the spell of fine music.
[before 900; Old English; c. Old High German spel, Old Norse spjall, Gothic spill tale]

spell3

(spɛl)

n.
1. a continuous period of work or other activity: to take a spell at the wheel.
2. a turn of work so taken.
3. a bout, fit, or period of anything experienced: a spell of coughing.
4. an indefinite period: Come visit us for a spell.
5. a period of weather of a specified kind: a hot spell.
6. Archaic. a shift of workers relieving another.
v.t.
7. to take the place of for a time; relieve: Let me spell you at the wheel.
v.i.
8. to take turns at a job.
[1585–95; (v.) alter. of earlier spele to stand instead of, relieve, spare, Middle English spelen, Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala, gespelia a substitute]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

spell


Past participle: spelled/spelt
Gerund: spelling

Imperative
spell
spell
Present
I spell
you spell
he/she/it spells
we spell
you spell
they spell
Preterite
I spelled/spelt
you spelled/spelt
he/she/it spelled/spelt
we spelled/spelt
you spelled/spelt
they spelled/spelt
Present Continuous
I am spelling
you are spelling
he/she/it is spelling
we are spelling
you are spelling
they are spelling
Present Perfect
I have spelled/spelt
you have spelled/spelt
he/she/it has spelled/spelt
we have spelled/spelt
you have spelled/spelt
they have spelled/spelt
Past Continuous
I was spelling
you were spelling
he/she/it was spelling
we were spelling
you were spelling
they were spelling
Past Perfect
I had spelled/spelt
you had spelled/spelt
he/she/it had spelled/spelt
we had spelled/spelt
you had spelled/spelt
they had spelled/spelt
Future
I will spell
you will spell
he/she/it will spell
we will spell
you will spell
they will spell
Future Perfect
I will have spelled/spelt
you will have spelled/spelt
he/she/it will have spelled/spelt
we will have spelled/spelt
you will have spelled/spelt
they will have spelled/spelt
Future Continuous
I will be spelling
you will be spelling
he/she/it will be spelling
we will be spelling
you will be spelling
they will be spelling
Present Perfect Continuous
I have been spelling
you have been spelling
he/she/it has been spelling
we have been spelling
you have been spelling
they have been spelling
Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been spelling
you will have been spelling
he/she/it will have been spelling
we will have been spelling
you will have been spelling
they will have been spelling
Past Perfect Continuous
I had been spelling
you had been spelling
he/she/it had been spelling
we had been spelling
you had been spelling
they had been spelling
Conditional
I would spell
you would spell
he/she/it would spell
we would spell
you would spell
they would spell
Past Conditional
I would have spelled/spelt
you would have spelled/spelt
he/she/it would have spelled/spelt
we would have spelled/spelt
you would have spelled/spelt
they would have spelled/spelt
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

spell

Words which when written or spoken have magic power. Some spells are cast without the use of words, but usually rely on the use of special signs and rituals.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.spell - a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantationspell - a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
mental condition, mental state, psychological condition, psychological state - (psychology) a mental condition in which the qualities of a state are relatively constant even though the state itself may be dynamic; "a manic state"
possession - being controlled by passion or the supernatural
captivation, fascination - the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
2.spell - a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)spell - a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else); "it's my go"; "a spell of work"
duty period, work shift, shift - the time period during which you are at work
3.spell - a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition; "he was here for a little while"; "I need to rest for a piece"; "a spell of good weather"; "a patch of bad weather"
time - an indefinite period (usually marked by specific attributes or activities); "he waited a long time"; "the time of year for planting"; "he was a great actor in his time"
cold snap, cold spell - a spell of cold weather
hot spell - a spell of hot weather
snap - a spell of cold weather; "a cold snap in the middle of May"
4.spell - a verbal formula believed to have magical forcespell - a verbal formula believed to have magical force; "he whispered a spell as he moved his hands"; "inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese"
speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, voice communication, oral communication, speech, language - (language) communication by word of mouth; "his speech was garbled"; "he uttered harsh language"; "he recorded the spoken language of the streets"
conjuration, incantation - a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect
hex, jinx, whammy, curse - an evil spell; "a witch put a curse on his whole family"; "he put the whammy on me"
Verb1.spell - orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of; "How do you spell this word?" "We had to spell out our names for the police officer"
misspell - spell incorrectly
recite - repeat aloud from memory; "she recited a poem"; "The pupil recited his lesson for the day"
2.spell - indicate or signify; "I'm afraid this spells trouble!"
mean, intend - mean or intend to express or convey; "You never understand what I mean!"; "what do his words intend?"
3.spell - write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word); "He spelled the word wrong in this letter"
spell out - spell fully and without abbreviating; "Can you spell out your middle name instead of just giving the initial?"
hyphen, hyphenate - divide or connect with a hyphen; "hyphenate these words and names"
4.spell - relieve (someone) from work by taking a turn; "She spelled her husband at the wheel"
relieve, take over - free someone temporarily from his or her obligations
5.spell - place under a spell
glamour, hex, jinx, witch, bewitch, enchant - cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something
unspell - release from a spell
6.spell - take turns working; "the workers spell every four hours"
take turns, alternate - do something in turns; "We take turns on the night shift"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

spell

1
verb indicate, mean, signify, suggest, promise, point to, imply, amount to, herald, augur, presage, portend The report spells more trouble.
spell something out make clear or plain, specify, make explicit, clarify, elucidate, explicate How many times do I have to spell it out?

spell

2
noun
1. incantation, charm, sorcery, exorcism, abracadabra, witchery, conjuration Vile witch! She cast a spell on me!
2. enchantment, magic, fascination, glamour, allure, bewitchment The King also falls under her spell.
cast a spell on someone enchant, charm, fascinate, captivate, delight, enthral, beguile, bewitch, ravish, mesmerize, hypnotize, enrapture, enamour, spellbind People said he was able to cast a spell on the public.

spell

3
noun period, time, term, stretch, turn, course, season, patch, interval, bout, stint There has been a spell of dry weather.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

spell 1

verb
To have or convey a particular idea:
Idiom: add up to.
phrasal verb
spell out
To make understandable:
Archaic: enucleate.
Idiom: put into plain English.

spell 2

noun
An object or power that one uses to cause often evil events:
Slang: whammy.
verb
To act upon with or as if with magic:

spell 3

noun
1. A rather short period:
2. A limited, often assigned period of activity, duty, or opportunity:
bout, go, hitch, inning (often used in plural), shift, stint, stretch, time, tour, trick, turn, watch.
3. Informal. A sudden and often acute manifestation of a disease:
verb
To free from a specific duty by acting as a substitute:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
تأثير سِحْريتَعْويذَه، رُقْيَهدَوْرَهسِحْرفَتْرَة
hláskovatzaklínadloobdobísměnatvořit
stavetidtrolddom(i nogens magtbetyde
sorĉo
loitsulumousmerkitämuodostaapieni kohtaus
činidugotrajansricati
betűzhelyesírás
myndaòÿîa, jafngildaskeiî, kaststafastafsetja
つづる一時期呪文
철자하다한동안한참기간마력
buramvārdiburvībaburvju vārdiiespaidsīss periods
dávať dohromadyhláskovaťvedieť pravopiszaklínadlo
črkovatiurok
stavastundbetydaförtrollning
ช่วงเวลามนตร์คาถาอ่านสะกดคำ
dönemharf harf söylemekharflerini oluşturmakhecelemekkısa bir süre
đánh vầnkhoảng thời gian ngắn diễn raphép thuật

spell

1 [spel] Nencanto m, hechizo m
to be under a spellestar hechizado
to be under sb's spellestar hechizado por algn
to break the spellromper el hechizo or encanto
to cast a spell over or on sb; put sb under a spellhechizar a algn
Seville casts its spell over the touristsSevilla embruja a los turistas

spell

2 [spel] (spelled or spelt (pt, pp))
A. VT
1. (= write) → escribir; (letter by letter) → deletrear
how do you spell your name?¿cómo se escribe tu nombre?
can you spell that please?¿me lo deletrea, por favor?
c-a-t spells "cat""cat" se deletrea c-a-t
what do these letters spell?¿qué palabra se forma con estas letras?
2. (= denote) → significar, representar
it spells ruinsignifica or representa la ruina
it spells disaster for ussignifica or representa un desastre para nosotros
B. VI (= write correctly) → escribir correctamente
she can't spellno sabe escribir correctamente, sabe poco de ortografía
spell out VT + ADV
1. (= read letter by letter) → deletrear
2. (= explain) to spell sth out for sbexplicar algo a algn en detalle

spell

3 [spel] N
1. (= period) → racha f
a prolonged spell of bad weatheruna larga racha de mal tiempo
a cold spelluna racha de frío
they're going through a bad spellestán pasando por una mala racha
2. (= shift, turn) → turno m
we each took a spell at the wheelnos turnamos al volante
a spell of dutyuna temporada
I did a spell as a commercial travellerdurante cierto tiempo trabajé como viajante
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

spell

[ˈspɛl]
n
(= magic words) → formule f magique, incantation f
(= magical effect) → sortilège m, charme m
to cast a spell on sb (lit)jeter un sort à qn (fig)envoûter qn
to be under sb's spell (fig)être sous le charme de qn
to fall under sb's spell (fig)tomber sous le charme de qn
to break the spell (fig)rompre le charme
(= period of time) → (courte) période f
a cold spell → une vague de froid
sunny spells → éclaircies fpl
vt [spelt or spelled] (pt, pp)
[+ word, name] (in writing)écrire, orthographier; (aloud)épeler
How do you spell your name? → Comment écrivez-vous votre nom?
How do you spell that?
BUT Comment est-ce que ça s'écrit?.
Can you spell it for me? → Pouvez-vous me l'épeler?
Can you spell that please? → Est-ce que vous pouvez l'épeler, s'il vous plaît?
to be spelt wrong → être mal orthographié(e)
[letters] → donner
G-N-A-T spells "gnat" → G-N-A-T donne "gnat"
(= signify) [+ disaster, trouble, end] → signifier
that would spell ... (= would be) → cela constituerait ...
Any discussions of politics would spell disaster → Toute discussion politique constituerait un désastre., Toute discussion politique serait synonyme de désastre.
vi
He can't spell → Il fait des fautes d'orthographe.
to learn to spell → apprendre l'orthographe
spell out
vt sep [+ word] → épeler
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

spell

:
spell-check (Comput)
vtdie Rechtschreibung (+gen)prüfen
spellchecker
n (Comput) → Rechtschreibprüfung f

spell

1
n (lit, fig)Zauber m; (= incantation)Zauberspruch m; to be under a spell (lit)unter einem Zauber stehen, verzaubert or verhext sein; (fig)wie verzaubert sein; to put a spell on somebody, to cast a spell on or over somebody, to put somebody under a spell (lit)jdn verzaubern or verhexen; (fig)jdn in seinen Bann ziehen, jdn verzaubern; to be under somebody’s spell (fig)in jds Bann (dat)stehen; to break the spell (lit, fig)den Bann brechen, den Zauber lösen

spell

2
n (= period)Weile f, → Weilchen nt; for a spelleine Weile, eine Zeit lang; cold/hot spellKälte-/Hitzewelle f; dizzy spellSchwächeanfall m; a short spell of sunny weathereine kurze Schönwetterperiode; we had or spent a spell in Chilewir hielten uns eine Zeit lang in Chile auf; to do a spell on the assembly line/as a waitresssich kurzzeitig am Fließband/als Serviererin betätigen; he did or had a spell in prisoner hat eine Zeit lang (im Gefängnis) gesessen; to take a spell at the wheeleine Zeit lang or ein Weilchen das Steuer übernehmen; they’re going through a bad spellsie machen eine schwierige Zeit durch

spell

3 pret, ptp <spelt (esp Brit) or spelled>
vi (in writing) → (orthografisch) richtig schreiben; (aloud) → buchstabieren; she can’t spellsie kann keine Rechtschreibung; children should learn to spellKinder sollten richtig schreiben lernen
vt
(in writing) → schreiben; (aloud) → buchstabieren; how do you spell “onyx”?wie schreibt man „Onyx“?; how do you spell your name?wie schreibt sich Ihr Name?, wie schreiben Sie sich?; what do these letters spell?welches Wort ergeben diese Buchstaben?
(= denote)bedeuten; it spells disaster (for us)das bedeutet Unglück (für uns)
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

spell

1 [spɛl] (spelled or spelt (pt, pp)) vt how do you spell your name?come si scrive il tuo nome?
can you spell it for me? → me lo puoi dettare lettera per lettera?
c-a-t spells "cat" → c-a-t formano la parola "cat"
I can't spell → faccio errori di ortografia
it spells disaster for us (fig) → significa la nostra rovina
spell out vt + adv (fig) to spell sth out for sbspiegare qc a qn per filo e per segno

spell

2 [spɛl] n (also magic spell) → incantesimo; (words) → formula magica
an evil spell → una stregoneria
to cast or put a spell on sb → fare un incantesimo a qn (fig) → stregare qn
to fall under sb's spell (fig) → subire il fascino di qn
to break the spell (also) (fig) → rompere l'incantesimo

spell

3 [spɛl] n (period of time) → periodo
cold spell → periodo di freddo
to do a spell of duty → fare un turno
they're going through a bad spell → stanno attraversando un brutto periodo
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

spell1

(spel) past tense, past participle spelt (-t) , spelled verb
1. to name or give in order the letters of (a word). I asked him to spell his name for me.
2. (of letters) to form (a word). C-a-t spells `cat'.
3. to (be able to) spell words correctly. I can't spell!
4. to mean or amount to. This spells disaster.
speller noun
1. a computer program that corrects spelling mistakes.
2. someone who is good or bad at spelling. She is a good speller.
3. (American) a book for teaching spelling.
ˈspelling noun
Her spelling is terrible; (also adjective) The teacher gave the children a spelling lesson/test.

spell2

(spel) noun
1. a set or words which, when spoken, is supposed to have magical power. The witch recited a spell and turned herself into a swan.
2. a strong influence. He was completely under her spell.

spell3

(spel) noun
1. a turn (at work). Shortly afterwards I did another spell at the machine.
2. a period of time during which something lasts. a spell of bad health.
3. a short time. We stayed in the country for a spell and then came home.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

spell

سِحْر, فَتْرَة, يَتَهَجَّأُ hláskovat, období, zaklínadlo fortryllelse, periode, stave buchstabieren, Zauberformel, Zeitabschnitt ξόρκι, συλλαβίζω, χρονική περίοδος deletrear, hechizo, temporada ajanjakso, kirjoittaa, loitsu épeler, laps, sort čini, dugotrajan, sricati compitare, incantesimo, periodo つづる, 一時期, 呪文 기간, 마법, 철자하다 periode, spellen, toverformule fortryllelse, periode, stave czary, przeliterować, zaklęcie feitiço, período, soletrar заклинание, писать или произносить (слово) по буквам, полоса förtrollning, stava, stund ช่วงเวลา, มนตร์คาถา, อ่านสะกดคำ büyü, dönem, telaffuz etmek đánh vần, khoảng thời gian ngắn diễn ra, phép thuật 一段时间, 拼写, 符咒
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

spell

n. ataque súbito;
v.
to have a ___tener un ataque o acceso de; deletrear;
to ___ a worddeletrear una palabra.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

spell

n episodio, ataque m, acceso

spell

vt deletrear; Can you spell the word ‘world’ backwards?..¿Puede deletrear la palabra ‘mundo’ al revés?
English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
References in classic literature ?
'After a while, instead of labels, the individual letters were given to her on detached bits of paper: they were arranged side by side so as to spell BOOK, KEY, &c.; then they were mixed up in a heap and a sign was made for her to arrange them herself so as to express the words BOOK, KEY, &c.; and she did so.
Let none of earth inherit That vision on my spirit; Those thoughts I would control As a spell upon his soul: For that bright hope at last And that light time have past, And my worldly rest hath gone With a sigh as it pass'd on I care not tho' it perish With a thought I then did cherish.
I write only to bid you farewell, the spell is removed; I see you as you are.
The Fairy, foreseeing this, put everyone in the world under a spell, which prevents their obeying the Sun's command to take your life.
Pearl's aspect was imbued with a spell of infinite variety; in this one child there were many children, comprehending the full scope between the wild-flower prettiness of a peasant-baby, and the pomp, in little, of an infant princess.
It ain't no slouch of a name to spell -- right off without studying."
He wrote another letter, and thanked me for correcting his mistakes, and said it made him feel glad because it showed I was beginning to take an interest in him when I wanted him to spell better.
"If any labor of mortal might break the spell that binds these waters, this which I have but just essayed had done it.
It takes a good deal of time and I am glad people can talk without stoping to spell. It is much eesier to talk than write and much more fun.
Look at yourself, and remember what happened to the slave who was under the spell. You're getting paler and paler, and thinner and thinner; you're pining away just as he did.
The spell of the fair wind has a subtle power to scatter a white-winged company of ships looking all the same way, each with its white fillet of tumbling foam under the bow.
But the dwarf was enraged at his behaviour, and laid a fairy spell of ill-luck upon him; so that as he rode on the mountain pass became narrower and narrower, and at last the way was so straitened that he could not go to step forward: and when he thought to have turned his horse round and go back the way he came, he heard a loud laugh ringing round him, and found that the path was closed behind him, so that he was shut in all round.