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Verb: spell (spelled, also spelt)  spel
  1. Specify 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";
    - write
     
  2. 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";
    - spell out
     
  3. Indicate or signify
    "I'm afraid this spells trouble!";
    - import
     
  4. Relieve (someone) from work by taking a turn
    "She spelled her husband at the wheel"
     
  5. Place under a spell
     
  6. Take turns working
    "the workers spell every four hours"
Noun: spell  spel
  1. A psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
    - enchantment, trance
     
  2. A time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
    "a spell of work";
    - go, tour, turn
     
  3. A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
    "a spell of good weather";
    - while, piece, patch
     
  4. A verbal formula believed to have magical force
    "he whispered a spell as he moved his hands";
    - magic spell, magical spell, charm
     
  5. (cricket) an uninterrupted series of alternate overs bowled by the same bowler
     
  6. A mild or momentary illness or emotional outburst; a short time exhibiting a symptom
    "One of the main symptoms is severe coughing spells"

Derived forms: spelled, spells, spelling

Type of: alternate, bewitch, duty period, enchant, glamour, hex, intend, jinx, language, mean, mental condition, mental state, oral communication, psychological condition, psychological state, recite, relieve, shift, speech, speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, take over, take turns, time, voice communication, witch, work shift

Antonym: unspell

Encyclopedia: Spell