You searched for: “spell
spell, spell
spell (SPEL) (verb)
1. To write, say, or print the letters of a word or name: "How do you spell your last name?"
2. To have or to lead to a particular result or effect: "I was told that the amount of planning I do could spell the difference between success and failure."
3. To write out something in complete words instead of using a number, an abbreviation, etc.: "When addressing the invitations, please spell out 'street', 'road', etc."
4. To take the place of another person who has been working or doing something for a period of time: "When the couple is taking care of their niece, they spell each other throughout the day."
spell (SPEL) (noun)
1. A charm or incantation; that is, a group of secret words that are believed to have magic powers: "She felt as if she were under the spell of the words which he uttered."
2. An interval of space or time usually marked by a particular activity or condition: "It looks like we're in for a spell of rainy weather."

In their efforts to try to end the long spell of hot and dry weather, the farmers resorted to hiring a water witch in hopes that she could cast a spell to bring rain. They actually had to hire two water witches to spell each other off while waiting for the rain to start.

Later, after it actually rained, a farmer had to write a check to pay the two witches and so he asked each one to spell her name carefully for him.

Word Entries at Get Words: “spell
spell (verb), spells; spelled, spelt (British); spelling
1. To speak or to write the identification of the letters used correctly to create words: Clayton spelled his name for the teacher when he first went to her English class so she could add him to her attendance sheet.
2. To constitute the letters of a word: These letters spell "zebra".
This entry is located in the following unit: English Words in Action, Group S (page 11)