Spell

GRE 考研

[编辑] 解释

I. verb (spelled; spelling)

Etymology: Middle English, to mean, signify, read by spelling out letters, from Anglo-French espeleir, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English spellian to relate, spell talk
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
- 1. to read slowly and with difficulty — often used with out
- 2. to find out by study ; come to understand — often used with out<it requires some pains to spell out those decorations — F. J. Mather>
- 3.
  - a.
    - (1) to name the letters of in order; also to write or print the letters of in order
    - (2) to write or print the letters of in a particular way <you can spell it either way><I spelled it wrong>
  - b. to make up (a word) <what word do these letters spell>
  - c. write 1b <catnip is spelled as one word>
- 4. to add up to ; mean <crop failure was likely to spell stark famine — Stringfellow Barr>
intransitive verb
- to form words with letters <teach children to spell>; also to spell words in a certain way <spells the way he speaks>

II. noun

Etymology: Middle English, talk, tale, from Old English; akin to Old High German spel talk, tale
Date: 1579
1.
- a. a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power
- b. a state of enchantment
2. a strong compelling influence or attraction

III. transitive verb (spelled; spelling)

IV. noun

Etymology: probably alteration of Middle English spale substitute, from Old English spala
Date: 1593
1.
- a. archaic a shift of workers
- b. one's turn at work
2.
- a. a period spent in a job or occupation
- b. chiefly Australian a period of rest from work, activity, or use
3.
- a. an indeterminate period of time <waited a spell before advancing>; also a continuous period of time <did a spell in prison>
- b. a stretch of a specified type of weather
［b