English noun: spell | |||
1. | spell (state) a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation | ||
Synonyms | enchantment, trance | ||
Broader (hypernym) | mental condition, mental state, psychological condition, psychological state | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | captivation, fascination, possession | ||
2. | spell (time) a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else) | ||
Samples | It's my go. A spell of work. | ||
Synonyms | go, tour, turn | ||
Broader (hypernym) | duty period, shift, work shift | ||
3. | spell (time) a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition | ||
Samples | He was here for a little while. I need to rest for a piece. A spell of good weather. A patch of bad weather. | ||
Synonyms | patch, piece, while | ||
Broader (hypernym) | time | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | cold snap, cold spell, hot spell, snap | ||
4. | spell (communication) a verbal formula believed to have magical force | ||
Samples | He whispered a spell as he moved his hands. Inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese. | ||
Synonyms | charm, magic spell, magical spell | ||
Broader (hypernym) | language, oral communication, speech, speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, voice communication | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | conjuration, curse, hex, incantation, jinx, whammy | ||
English verb: spell | |||
1. | spell (communication) orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of | ||
Samples | How do you spell this word?. We had to spell out our names for the police officer. | ||
Synonyms | spell out | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | recite | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | misspell | ||
2. | spell (communication) indicate or signify | ||
Samples | I'm afraid this spells trouble!. | ||
Synonyms | import | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | intend, mean | ||
3. | spell (creation) write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word) | ||
Samples | He spelled the word wrong in this letter. | ||
Synonyms | write | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | hyphen, hyphenate, spell out | ||
4. | spell (social) relieve (someone) from work by taking a turn | ||
Samples | She spelled her husband at the wheel. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | relieve, take over | ||
5. | spell (communication) place under a spell | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | bewitch, enchant, glamour, hex, jinx, witch | ||
Antonyms | unspell | ||
6. | spell (change) take turns working | ||
Samples | The workers spell every four hours. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | alternate, take turns | ||