spell

I. verb (spelled; spelling) Etymology: 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 Date: 14th century 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

> 3. a. (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 <

you can spell it either way

> <

I spelled it wrong

> b. to make up (a word) <

what word do these letters spell

> c. 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

> II. noun Etymology: Middle English, talk, tale, from Old English; akin to Old High German spel talk, tale Date: 1579 1. a. a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power b. a state of enchantment 2. a strong compelling influence or attraction III. transitive verb (spelled; spelling) Date: circa 1623 to put under a spell IV. noun Etymology: probably alteration of Middle English spale substitute, from Old English spala Date: 1593 1. a. archaic a shift of workers b. one's turn at work 2. a. a period spent in a job or occupation b. chiefly Australian a period of rest from work, activity, or use 3. a. 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

> V. verb (spelled; spelling) Etymology: Middle English spelen, from Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala substitute Date: 1595 transitive verb 1. to take the place of for a time ; relieve <

he and the other assistant…spelled each other — Mary McCarthy

> 2. rest intransitive verb 1. to work in turns 2. chiefly Australian to rest from work or activity for a time