spell¹ ◙ (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. 报刊杂志都有关于怎样拼写的出版印刷规格。 (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。 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。 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。
【语源】
1. Middle English: shortening of Old French espeller, from the Germanic base of spell
【PHR V】
◘ 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 explain something in detail • 说清楚，详细解释 »I'll spell out the problem again. 我来把问题再详细解释一遍。spell² ◙ noun 1. a form of words used as a magical charm or incantation • 符咒，咒语 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。 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。
【IDIOMS】
◘ under a spell 1. 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 1. 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
【语源】
1. Old English spel(l) 'narration', of Germanic originspell³ ◙ noun 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下。 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。 [Austral.] a period of rest from work • [澳] 休息期 [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 ◙ verb 1. [with obj.] (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。 [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。
【语源】
1. 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'spell4 ◙ noun 1. a splinter of wood • 木片
【语源】
1. late Middle English: perhaps a variant of obsolete speld 'chip, splinter'