spell
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Etymology 1
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
spell (plural spells)
- Words or a formula supposed to have magical powers.
- He cast a spell to cure warts.
- A magical effect induced by an incantation or formula.
- under a spell
- A splinter, usually of wood (Lancashire/Yorkshire).
- A mild or momentary emotional outburst.
- (informal, epilepsy) A petit mal
- (cricket) An uninterrupted series of alternate overs bowled by a single bowler.
- (horseracing) time off from competition
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Synonyms
- (words or formula supposed to have magical powers): cantrip, incantation
- (mild or momentary emotional outburst): fit, tantrum, moment
- (magical effect induced by an incantation or formula): cantrip
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
magical incantation
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magical effect of such incantation
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short period of time
petit mal
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
[edit] Etymology 2
[edit] Verb
to spell (third-person singular simple present spells, present participle spelling, simple past and past participle spelled or spelt (mostly UK))
- To compose a word.
- The letters “a”, “n” and “d” spell “and”.
- (sometimes with “out”) To write or say the letters that form a word or part of a word.
- (transitive, figuratively) To indicate that (some event) will occur.
- This spells trouble.
- (transitive, figuratively, with “out”) To clarify.
- 2003, U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbel, Hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, ISBN 1422334120:
- When we get elected, for instance, we get one of these, and we are pretty much told what is in it, and it is our responsibility to read it and understand it, and if we do not, the Ethics Committee, we can call them any time of day and ask them to spell it out for us[...].
- 2003, U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbel, Hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, ISBN 1422334120:
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Synonyms
- (to indicate that some event will occur): forebode; mean; signify
- (to work in place of someone else): relieve
- (to compose a word): (informal) comprise
[edit] Translations
to compose a word
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to write or say the letters that form a word
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to indicate that some future event will occur
figuratively, to clarify
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
[edit] Etymology 3
From spele "to relieve, stand in the stead of another" from Middle English spelen from Old English spelian.
[edit] Verb
to spell (third-person singular simple present spells, present participle spelling, simple past and past participle spelled or spelt)
- (transitive) To work in place of (someone).
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
spell (plural spells)
- A relatively short period of time of indeterminate length.
- We’re in the midst of a cold spell.
- He had a spell of bad luck.
[edit] Translations
to work in place of someone
[edit] Faroese
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: [spɛdl]
[edit] Noun
spell n.
[edit] Declension
| n9 | Singular | Plural | ||
| Indefinite | Definite | Indefinite | Definite | |
| Nominative | spell | spellið | spell | spellini |
| Accusative | spell | spellið | spell | spellini |
| Dative | spelli | spellinum | spellum | spellunum |
| Genitive | spels | spelsins | spella | spellanna |
