spell

Noun

• a verbal formula believed to have magical force
  • he whispered a spell as he moved his hands
    
  • inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese
    

• a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
  • he was here for a little while
    
  • I need to rest for a piece
    
  • a spell of good weather
    
  • a patch of bad weather
    

• a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
  • it's my go
    
  • a spell of work
    

• a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation

Verb

• take turns working
  • the workers spell every four hours
    

• place under a spell

• relieve (someone) from work by taking a turn
  • She spelled her husband at the wheel
    

• write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
  • He spelled the word wrong in this letter
    

• indicate or signify
  • I'm afraid this spells trouble!
    

• orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
  • How do you spell this word? We had to spell out our names for the police officer
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  magic spell , magical spell , charm , while , piece , patch , go , tour , turn , enchantment , trance , write , import , spell out