Noun

1. Words or a formula supposed to have magical powers.

   He cast a spell to cure warts.

2. A magical effect induced by an incantation or formula.

   under a spell

3. A splinter, usually of wood (Lancashire/Yorkshire).
4. A mild or momentary emotional outburst.
5. A petit mal
6. An uninterrupted series of alternate overs bowled by a single bowler.
7. time off from competition

Verb

1. To compose a word.

   The letters “a”, “n” and “d” spell “and”.

2. To write or say the letters that form a word or part of a word.
3. To indicate that (some event) will occur.

   This spells trouble.

4. To clarify.
   • 2003, U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbel, Hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, ISBN 1422334120:

     When we get elected, for instance, we get one of these, and we are pretty much told what is in it, and it is our responsibility to read it and understand it, and if we do not, the Ethics Committee, we can call them any time of day and ask them to spell it out for us[...].

Etymology 3

Verb

1. To work in place of (someone).

Noun

1. A relatively short period of time of indeterminate length.

   We’re in the midst of a cold spell.

   He had a spell of bad luck.

Noun

1. pity, shame
   • stór spell

     big shame

   • tað var spell

     it was a pity

   • spell var í honum

     it was too bad for him