spell out
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spell 1
(spĕl)v. spelled or spelt (spĕlt), spell·ing, spells
v.tr.
1. To name or write in order the letters constituting (a word).
2. To constitute the letters of (a word): These letters spell animal.
3. To add up to; signify: Their unwise investment could spell financial ruin.
v.intr.
Phrasal Verbs: To name or write in order the letters of a word or words: I've never been able to spell very well.
spell down
To defeat in a spelling bee.
spell out
1. To make clear and explicit: asked him to spell out his objectives.
2. To name or write in order the letters that constitute (a word or part of a word): spelled out my name.
[Middle English spellen, to read letter by letter, from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin.]
spell 2
(spĕl)n.
1.
a. A word or formula believed to have magic power.
b. A bewitched state or trance: The sorcerer put the prince under a spell.
2. A compelling attraction; charm or fascination: the spell of the theater.
tr.v. spelled, spell·ing, spells
To put (someone) under a spell; bewitch.
[Middle English, discourse, from Old English.]
spell 3
(spĕl)n.
1. A short, indefinite period of time.
2. Informal A period of weather of a particular kind: a dry spell.
3.
a. One's turn at work.
b. A period of work; a shift.
4. Australian A period of rest.
5. Informal A period of physical or mental disorder or distress: a dizzy spell.
6. Informal A short distance.
v. spelled, spell·ing, spells
v.tr.
1. To relieve (someone) from work temporarily by taking a turn.
2. To allow (someone) to rest a while.
v.intr.
1. To take turns working.
2. Australian To rest for a time from an activity.
[From Middle English spelen, to spare, from Old English spelian, to represent, substitute for.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
spell out
vb (tr, adverb)
1. to make clear, distinct, or explicit; clarify in detail: let me spell out the implications.
2. to read laboriously or with difficulty, working out each word letter by letter
3. to discern by study; puzzle out
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Verb | 1. | spell out - make explicit; specify in detail; "You should spell out your demands" particularise, particularize, specialise, specialize, specify - be specific about; "Could you please specify your criticism of my paper?" |
| 2. | spell out - spell fully and without abbreviating; "Can you spell out your middle name instead of just giving the initial?" | |
| 3. | spell out - orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of; "How do you spell this word?" "We had to spell out our names for the police officer" misspell - spell incorrectly recite - repeat aloud from memory; "she recited a poem"; "The pupil recited his lesson for the day" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
spell 1
verbphrasal verb
spell out
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
w>spell out
vt sep (= spell aloud) → buchstabieren; (= read slowly) → entziffern; (= explain) → verdeutlichen, klarmachen; to spell something out for somebody → jdm etw klarmachen; he needs everything spelled out to him → man muss ihm alles überdeutlich machen; do I have to spell it out for you? (inf) → muss ich noch deutlicher werden?
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007