Topic: LINGUISTICS
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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | espeller |
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spell1 S2
past tense and past participle spelt British English also spelled especially American English
past tense and past participle spelt British English also spelled especially American English1 [intransitive and transitive]SL to form a word by writing or naming the letters in order : Pupils should know how to spell commonly used words.
Pupils should know how to spell commonly used words.2 [transitive not in passive] if letters spell a word, they form it : B-O-O-K spells 'book'.
B-O-O-K spells 'book'.3 if a situation or action spells trouble etc, it makes you expect trouble etc : The lack of rain could spell disaster for farmers.
spell trouble/disaster/danger etc
The lack of rain could spell disaster for farmers.4 [transitive] American English to do someone else's work for them for a short period so that they can rest : I can spell you if you get tired.
I can spell you if you get tired.spell something ↔ out
phrasal verb1 to explain something clearly and in detail
spell out how/what etc The report spelled out in detail what the implications were for teacher training.
The report spelled out in detail what the implications were for teacher training.2 to show how a word is spelled by writing or saying the letters separately in order : 'W-E-I-R,' she said, spelling it out.
'W-E-I-R,' she said, spelling it out.3 to write a word in its complete form instead of using an abbreviation
WORD FOCUS: write WORD FOCUS: write
quickly: jot down, dash off
in a way that is difficult to read: scribble, scrawl
write information on an official form: fill in/fill out
write a word correctly: spell
start to write: put pen to paper
➔ See also write
WORD FOCUS: write quickly: jot down, dash off
in a way that is difficult to read: scribble, scrawl
write information on an official form: fill in/fill out
write a word correctly: spell
start to write: put pen to paper
➔ See also write
