spell

1 verb past tense and past participle spelt, especially BrE spelled especially AmE

1 (I, T) to form a word by writing or naming the letters in the correct order: “How do you spell your name?” “S-M-Y-T-H.” | can spell (=be good at spelling words correctly): I used to fail exams because I couldn't spell. | spell sth wrong/wrongly: You've spelled my name wrong.

2 (transitive not in passive) if letters spell a word, they form it: B-O-O-K spells `book'.

3 spell trouble/disaster/danger etc if a situation or action spells trouble etc, it makes you expect trouble etc: Such a scandal could spell disaster for the government.

4 (T) AmE & AustrE to do someone else's work for them for a short period so that they can rest: Can I spell you at the wheel?

spell sth out phrasal verb (T)

1 to show how a word is spelled by writing or saying the letters separately in the right order: “Could you spell that out for me?” “ F-A-H-E-R-T-Y”

2 to explain something clearly and in detail: spell out how/what etc: Will the Minister spell out exactly how he intends to finance these tax cuts?

3 to write a word in its complete form instead of using an abbreviation: If you are using initials for the title of a group, be sure to spell them out at least once in your article.

2 noun (C)

1 a piece of magic that someone does or the special words or ceremonies used in doing it: put a spell on/cast a spell over (=do a piece of magic to change something): The wizard had put a spell on the city to send all its people to sleep. | break the spell (=stop the spell from working) | under a spell: The frog was really a handsome young prince under a spell.

2 a period of a particular kind of activity, weather etc, usually a short period: After a brief spell in the army I returned to teaching.

(+ of): a spell of bad luck | a cold/wet/dry spell: Do you remember that foggy spell we had in April?

3 a power that attracts and influences you so strongly that it completely controls your feelings: be/fall under sb's spell: Maya fell under his spell within minutes of meeting him.

4 a very short period of feeling ill: a dizzy spell