spell

spell1 [ spel ] verb **

1. ) transitive to know the letters of a word in the correct order:

Can you spell the word beautiful?

a ) transitive to say or write the letters of a word in the correct order:

You've spelled my name wrong.

b ) intransitive to have a good knowledge of the way words are written:

Her writing is neat, but she can't spell.

c ) transitive if a series of letters spells a word, they make that word. This is usually used by children and teachers:

L-O-V-E spells love.

2. ) transitive to show that something is going to happen, usually something bad:

The news spelled the death of the U.S. car industry.

spell disaster/trouble: There's a determined look about him which can only spell trouble for his rivals.

3. ) transitive AMERICAN INFORMAL to do someone's work for a short time, so that they can rest:

I'd better go spell Mitch for a couple of hours.

,spell `out phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to say or write the letters of a word in the correct order

2. ) INFORMAL to say or explain something clearly:

spell something out to/for someone: It's frustrating when you have to spell everything out for them.

spell

spell 2 [ spel ] noun count **

1. ) a period of time, usually a short one:

a two-week spell in the hospital

a brief/short spell: After a short spell in the army, I went to college.

a ) a period when there is a particular type of weather:

a hot/cold/wet/dry spell: A prolonged wet spell causes trouble for fruit farmers.

2. ) a time when you suddenly feel ill:

fainting/dizzy spell: He's had another of his dizzy spells.

3. ) a powerful influence on someone, usually an influence that makes them admire or obey another person:

fall/be under someone's spell: He was not the first man to fall under her spell.

cast a spell on someone: The beautiful island seemed to have cast a spell on him.

4. ) words or actions that make magic things happen:

cast/put a spell on: The witch cast a spell on him and turned him into a beast.

break the spell (=end it): What did the princess do to break the spell?