spell meaning and definition

SPELL noun

Definition of spell (noun)

1. a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
   • synonyms: enchantment, trance
2. a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
   • "it's my go"; "a spell of work"
   • synonyms: go, tour, turn
3. a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
   • "he was here for a little while"; "I need to rest for a piece"; "a spell of good weather"; "a patch of bad weather"
   • synonyms: patch, piece, while
4. a verbal formula believed to have magical force
   • "he whispered a spell as he moved his hands"; "inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese"
   • synonyms: charm, magic spell, magical spell

SPELL verb

Definition of spell (verb)

1. orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
   • "How do you spell this word?" "We had to spell out our names for the police officer"
   • synonyms: spell out
2. indicate or signify
   • "I'm afraid this spells trouble!"
   • synonyms: import
3. write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
   • "He spelled the word wrong in this letter"
   • synonyms: write
4. relieve (someone) from work by taking a turn
   • "She spelled her husband at the wheel"
5. place under a spell
   • antonym: unspell
6. take turns working
   • "the workers spell every four hours"