spell
Pronunciation: (spel), [key]
— v., spelled spelt, spell•ing.
—v.t.
- to name, write, or otherwise give the letters, in order, of (a word, syllable, etc.): Did I spell your name right?
- (of letters) to form (a word, syllable, etc.): The letters spelled a rather rude word.
- to read letter by letter or with difficulty (often fol. by out): She painfully spelled out the message.
- to discern or find, as if by reading or study (often fol. by out).
- to signify; amount to: This delay spells disaster for us.
—v.i.
- to name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.: He spells poorly.
- to express words by letters, esp. correctly.
- to outspell others in a spelling match.
- Must I spell it out for you?
- to explain something explicitly, so that the meaning is unmistakable:Must I spell it out for you?
- to write out in full or enumerate the letters of which a word is composed:The title “Ph.D.” is seldom spelled out.
spell
Pronunciation: (spel), [key]
— n.
- a word, phrase, or form of words supposed to have magic power; charm; incantation: The wizard cast a spell.
- a state or period of enchantment: She was under a spell.
- any dominating or irresistible influence; fascination: the spell of fine music.
spell
Pronunciation: (spel), [key]
— n.
- a continuous course or period of work or other activity: to take a spell at the wheel.
- a turn of work so taken.
- a turn, bout, fit, or period of anything experienced or occurring: a spell of coughing.
- an indefinite interval or space of time: Come visit us for a spell.
- a period of weather of a specified kind: a hot spell.
- a rest period.
- a person or set of persons taking a turn of work to relieve another.
—v.t.
- to take the place of for a time; relieve: Let me spell you at the wheel.
- to declare or give a rest period to.
—v.i.
- to have or take a rest period.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.