spell
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,779 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 5,978 times across 175,113 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of also: spell out How do you spell this word?We had to spell out our names for the police officer
- indicate or signify also: import I'm afraid this spells trouble!
- write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word) also: write He spelled the word wrong in this letter
- relieve (someone) from work by taking a turn She spelled her husband at the wheel
- place under a spell
- take turns working the workers spell every four hours
noun
- a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation also: enchantment, trance
- a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else) also: go, tour, turn it's my goa spell of work
spell in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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So she uttered a spell, and everything disappeared.
The Firelight Fairy Book · Henry Beston · Chapter 1
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Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1
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Shall Court, Camp and Counter all yield to the spell And Cradledom not be considered as well?
Punch — Volume 101, November 7, 1891 · Various · Chapter 1
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While the Sipsu was moaning his spell over the pile of bones, Maisanguaq turned and left the tent.
The Eternal Maiden · T. Everett (Thomas Everett) Harré · Chapter 1
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And when the solemn and deep churchbell Entreats the soul to pray, The midnight phantoms feel the spell, The shadows sweep away.
The Complete Poetical Works of Henry · Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · Chapter 1