spell

1. Words or a formula supposed to have magical powers.

   He cast a spell to cure warts.

2. A magical effect or influence induced by an incantation or formula.

   under a spell

3. Speech, discourse.

verb

To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm.

1. To read (something) as though letter by letter; to peruse slowly or with effort.
2. (sometimes with “out”) To write or say the letters that form a word or part of a word.
3. To be able to write or say the letters that form words.

   I find it difficult to spell because I'm dyslexic.

4. Of letters: to compose (a word).

   The letters “a”, “n” and “d” spell “and”.

5. (with “out”) To clarify; to explain in detail.

   Please spell it out for me.

6. To indicate that (some event) will occur.

   This spells trouble.

7. To constitute; to measure.
8. To speak, to declaim.
9. To tell; to relate; to teach.

1. A shift (of work); a set of workers responsible for a specific turn of labour.
2. A definite period (of work or other activity).
3. An indefinite period of time (usually with a qualifier); by extension, a relatively short distance.
4. A period of rest; time off.
5. A period of illness, or sudden interval of bad spirits, disease etc.
6. An uninterrupted series of alternate overs bowled by a single bowler.

1. To work in place of (someone).

   to spell the helmsman

2. To rest (someone or something), to give someone or something a rest or break.

   They spelled the horses and rested in the shade of some trees near a brook.

3. To rest from work for a time.

1. A splinter, usually of wood; a spelk.
2. The wooden bat in the game of trap ball, or knurr and spell.