[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/spell/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / spell

# spell

verb (spell, spells, spelt or spelled, spelling); noun (a spell, spells)

«spell» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To spell a word is to say or write its letters in the right order. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#m1)
2. (noun) A spell is a set of magic words that makes something happen in stories. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#m2)
3. (noun) A short period of time: a spell of sunny weather. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#m3)
4. (verb) To spell something out is to explain it very clearly; "spell trouble" means to be a sign that something bad will happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#m4)

### In the lessons

Used at school: spelling tests, "How do you spell...?". In stories: witches and wizards cast spells. In weather reports: "a cold spell", "a dry spell". Phrases: "cast a spell", "under a spell", "spell out".

### Examples

- How do you spell "necessary"? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#x1)
- Can you spell your name for me? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#x2)
- The witch cast a spell on the prince. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#x3)
- The princess was under a spell. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#x4)
- We had a spell of warm weather. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#x5)
- Dark clouds spell trouble for the picnic. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#x6)
- Let me spell it out for you. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#x7)
- "How can I break this spell?" said their sister. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/#x8)

### Note

Past: "spelt" (UK) or "spelled" (UK and US). Noun "spelling" is about letters; "a spell" in stories is magic. Homonym: one spelling, several unrelated meanings.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means a magic charm, such as a snake charmer's words. The Bible does not treat such magic as having real power over God.

**Interpretation.** The Torah forbids sorcery and charming, and this verse is read as showing how stubborn the wicked are, deaf even to the best charmer.

### Examples

- Which hearkeneth not to the voice of charmers, or of the most cunning binder of spells. (Writings PSA.58.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spell/#x1)

### Note

Past: "spelt" (UK) or "spelled" (UK and US). Noun "spelling" is about letters; "a spell" in stories is magic. Homonym: one spelling, several unrelated meanings.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «spell» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spell/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«spell» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/spell.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «spell» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spell/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«spell» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/spell.html) on Mova free.