HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

To look up an entry in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, use the search window above. For best results, after typing in the word, click on the “Search” button instead of using the “enter” key.

Some compound words (like bus rapid transit, dog whistle, or identity theft) don’t appear on the drop-down list when you type them in the search bar. For best results with compound words, place a quotation mark before the compound word in the search window.

guide to the dictionary

spell¹

(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.

To name or write in order the letters of a word or words: I've never been able to spell very well.

Phrasal Verbs:

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.]

spell²

(spĕl)

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.]

spell³

(spĕl)

1. A short, indefinite period of time.

2. Informal A period of weather of a particular kind: a dry spell.

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.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

American Heritage Dictionary Products

HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

THE USAGE PANEL

AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY APP

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY BLOG

INTERESTED IN DICTIONARIES?

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

American Heritage Dictionary Products