spelling

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
spell1

▶verb (past and past part. spelled or chiefly Brit. spelt)

• 1 write or name the letters that form (a word) in correct sequence.

  ■ (of letters) make up or form (a word).

• 2 be a sign of; lead to: the plans would spell disaster for the economy.

• 3 (spell something out) explain something in detail.

– derivatives
spelling noun.

– origin ME: shortening of OFr. espeller, from the Gmc base of spell2.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
spell2

▶noun

• 1 a form of words used as a magical charm or incantation.

• 2 a state of enchantment or influence induced by or as if by a spell.

– origin OE spel(l) ‘narration’, of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
spell3

▶noun

• 1 a short period of time.

  ■ Austral./NZ a period of rest from work.

• 2 Cricket a series of overs in which a particular bowler bowls.

▶verb chiefly N. Amer. take someone's place in order to allow them to rest briefly.

■ Austral./NZ take a brief rest.

– origin C16: var. of dial. spele ‘take the place of’, of unknown origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
spell4

▶noun a splinter of wood.

– origin ME: perh. a var. of obs. speld ‘chip, splinter’.