spell1
verb (past and past part. spelled or chiefly Brit. spelt) 1 write or name the letters that form (a word) in correct sequence. 2 (of letters) make up or form (a word). 3 be a sign of; lead to: the plans would spell disaster. 4 (spell out) explain clearly and in detail. ORIGIN Old French espeller; related to SPELL2.
Perform another search of the Compact Oxford English Dictionary
About this dictionary
The Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English contains 145,000 words, phrases, and definitions.
Find out more about Oxford's range of English dictionaries
Sign up for the AskOxford Word of the Day
Search the Little Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
Search the Concise Dictionary of First Names
|