(past and past participle spelled 或 <主英> spelt) with obj.
1- write or name the letters that form (a word) in correct sequence拼写：
Dolly spelled her name
多莉拼出她的名字
no obj. journals have a house style about how to spell.报刊都有关于拼写的内部规范。
1.1
- (of letters) make up or form (a word)（字母）拼缀成（单词）：
the letters spell the word 'how'.
这些字母拼成"how"这个词。
1.2
- be recognizable as a sign or characteristic of具有…的显著特征：
she had the chic, efficient look that spells Milan.
她具有米兰人所特有的那种时髦典雅而又精明能干的外表。
1.3
- lead to导致, 招致：
the plans would spell disaster for the economy.
这些计划将会为经济带来灾难。
词源
Middle English: shortening of Old French espeller, from the Germanic base of SPELL2.
短语动词
spell something out
1
- speak the letters that form a word in sequence把组成一个词的字母依次读出。
1.1
- explain something in detail说清楚, 详细解释：
I'll spell out the problem again.
我来把问题再详细说一遍。
1
- a form of words used as a magical charm or incantation符咒, 咒语。
1.1
- a state of enchantment caused by such a form of words（因咒语而引起的）着魔：
the magician may cast a spell on himself.
巫师可能会对他自己施咒语。
1.2
- an ability to control or influence people as though one had magical power over them魔法般的控制力, 魔力般的影响：
she is afraid that you are waking from her spell.
她担心你正从她魔力般的影响下清醒过来。
短语
under a spell
- not fully in control of one's thoughts and actions, as though in a state of enchantment被迷住; 着迷。
under someone's spell
- so devoted to someone that they seem to have magic power over one受某人魔力般的影响; 对某人着迷。
词源
Old English spel(l) 'narration', of Germanic origin.
1
- a short period短时间, 一段时间：
I want to get away from racing for a spell.
我想暂时从比赛中离开一段时间。
1.1
- a period spent in an activity一段活动时间：
a spell of greenhouse work.
在暖房工作的一段时间。
1.2
- Austral. a period of rest from work〈澳〉休息期。
1.3
- Cricket a series of overs during a session of play in which a particular bowler bowls【板球】（一个投手的）一轮投球时间。
with obj.
1- chiefly N. Amer. allow (someone) to rest briefly by taking their place in some activity〈主北美〉替换（某人）：
I got sleepy and needed her to spell me for a while at the wheel.
我觉得困倦, 需要她替我开一会儿车。
1.1
- no obj. Austral. take a brief rest〈澳〉稍事休息：
I'll spell for a bit.
我要休息一会儿。
词源
late 16th cent.: variant of dialect spele 'take the place of', of unknown origin. The early sense of the noun was 'shift of relief workers'.