释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024spell1 /spɛl/USA pronunciation v., spelled or spelt/spɛlt/USA pronunciation spell•ing. - Linguisticsto name, write, or otherwise give the letters, in order, of (a word, syllable, etc.): [~ + object]Did I spell your name right?[no object]How did you learn to spell so well?
- Linguistics, (of letters) to form (a word, syllable, etc.):[not: be + ~-ing* ~ + object]Y-e-s spells yes.
- to read or say (a word) letter by letter or with difficulty: [~ + out + object]Spell out your name for me.[~ + object + out]to spell some words out.
- to signify;
amount to; mean or signal:[not: be + ~-ing* ~ + object]This delay spells disaster for the business. - spell out, to explain something plainly: [~ + object + out]Must I spell it out for you? Our engagement is broken![~ + out + object]Would someone spell out for me just what this crisis will do to our company?
spell2 /spɛl/USA pronunciation n. [countable]- a word or phrase believed to have magic power;
an incantation:uttering charms and spells. - a state or period of enchantment caused by magic power:living under a spell.
- any strong influence;
fascination:[usually: singular]under the spell of music. spell3 /spɛl/USA pronunciation n. [countable]- a continuous period of activity:You've been driving all day; let someone else take a spell at the wheel.
- a bout or fit of anything experienced:a spell of coughing.
- an indefinite period:Come visit us for a spell.
- a period of weather of a certain kind:a hot spell.
v. [~ + object] - to take the place of for a time;
relieve:Let me spell you at the wheel.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024spell1 (spel),USA pronunciation v., spelled or spelt, spell•ing. v.t. - Linguisticsto name, write, or otherwise give the letters, in order, of (a word, syllable, etc.):Did I spell your name right?
- Linguistics, (of letters) to form (a word, syllable, etc.):The letters spelled a rather rude word.
- to read letter by letter or with difficulty (often fol. by out):She painfully spelled out the message.
- to discern or find, as if by reading or study (often fol. by out).
- to signify;
amount to:This delay spells disaster for us. v.i. - Linguisticsto name, write, or give the letters of words, syllables, etc.:He spells poorly.
- Linguisticsto express words by letters, esp. correctly.
- Education spell down, to outspell others in a spelling match.
- spell out:
- to explain something explicitly, so that the meaning is unmistakable:Must I spell it out for you?
- to write out in full or enumerate the letters of which a word is composed:The title "Ph.D.'' is seldom spelled out.
- Gmc; compare Old English spellian to talk, announce (derivative of spell spell2), Old High German -spellōn, Old Norse spjalla, Gothic spillōn
- Old French espeller
- Middle English spellen 1250–1300
spell′a•ble, adj. - 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged foretell, portend, mean, promise.
spell2 (spel),USA pronunciation n. - a word, phrase, or form of words supposed to have magic power;
charm; incantation:The wizard cast a spell. - a state or period of enchantment:She was under a spell.
- any dominating or irresistible influence;
fascination:the spell of fine music.
- bef. 900; Middle English spell, Old English: discourse; cognate with Old High German spel, Old Norse spjall, Gothic spill tale; see spell1, gospel
spell′ful, adj. spell′-like′, adj. spell3 (spel),USA pronunciation n. - a continuous course or period of work or other activity:to take a spell at the wheel.
- a turn of work so taken.
- a turn, bout, fit, or period of anything experienced or occurring:a spell of coughing.
- an indefinite interval or space of time:Come visit us for a spell.
- a period of weather of a specified kind:a hot spell.
- British Terms[Australian.]a rest period.
- [Archaic.]a person or set of persons taking a turn of work to relieve another.
v.t. - to take the place of for a time;
relieve:Let me spell you at the wheel. - British Terms[Australian.]to declare or give a rest period to.
v.i. - British Terms[Australian.]to have or take a rest period.
- 1585–95; (verb, verbal) alteration of earlier spele to stand instead of, relieve, spare, Middle English spelen, Old English spelian; akin to Old English spala, gespelia a substitute; (noun, nominal) akin to the verb, verbal (perh. continuing Old English gespelia)
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged while, bit, piece.
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