spell
verb uk/spel/ us/spel/
(FORM WORDS)
A2 [ I or T ] spelled or UK also spelt | spelled or UK also spelt用字母拼;拼写
to form a word or words with the letters in the correct order
How do you spell receive? “receive 怎么拼？”“R-E-C-E-I-V-E。”
Shakespeare did not always spell his own name the same way. 莎士比亚不总是用同样的拼法拼写自己的名字。
Our address is 1520 Main Street, Albuquerque. Shall I spell that (out) (= say in the correct order the letters that form the word) for you? 我们的地址是阿尔布开克大街1520号——要我把它拼出来吗？
I think it's important that children should be taught to spell. 我认为教孩子们正确地拼写非常重要。
- More examples
- Could you spell your name again, please?
- Some words are more difficult to spell than others.
- Does she spell her name with a C or with a K?
- She always spells my name wrong.
- He even spelled his own client's name wrongly.
(RESULT)
spell disaster, trouble, etc. 意味着灾难／会招致麻烦（等等）
to cause something bad to happen in the future
The new regulations could spell disaster for small businesses. 新规定对小企业来说可能意味着灾难。
This cold weather could spell trouble for gardeners. 这种寒冷的天气可能会为菜农带来灾难。
(DO INSTEAD)
[ T ] mainly US spelled | spelled（尤指为让某人休息而）代替做，替换，轮换
to do something that someone else would usually be doing, especially in order to allow them to rest
You've been driving for a while - do you want me to spell you? 你开车开了一阵了——需要我替你一会儿吗？
Phrasal verb
spell something out 解释清楚;详细地说明
to explain something in a very clear way with details
The government has so far refused to spell out its plans/policies. 政府至今拒绝透露详细的计划／政策。
informal What do you mean you don't understand - do I have to spell it out for you? 你说你不明白是什么意思——需要我详细地向你解释一下吗？
spell
noun [ C ] uk/spel/ us/spel/
(PERIOD)
（持续的）一段时间
a period of time for which an activity or condition lasts continuously
I lived in Cairo for a spell. 我在开罗住过一阵子。
She had a brief spell as captain of the team. 她曾当过很短一段时间的球队队长。
I keep having/getting dizzy spells (= periods of feeling as if I'm turning around). 我一阵一阵地头晕。
（特定天气的）一段短暂持续时间
a short period of a particular type of weather
a spell of dry weather 一段天气干燥的日子
The weather forecast is for dry, sunny spells. 天气预报说是持续干燥的晴天。
- More examples
- In this current cold spell, many old people are dying needlessly of hypothermia.
- It looks as if we are in for a settled spell this week.
- After a brief spell in the army, he started working as a teacher.
- He had a brief spell in the army.
- She had a couple of spells in a mental hospital.
(DO INSTEAD)
US轮班，轮流做某事
a period when you do something that someone else would usually be doing, especially in order to allow them to rest
If we take spells (with) doing the painting, it won't seem like such hard work. 如果我们轮换着刷油漆，也许干起来不会这么累。
(MAGIC)
咒语，符咒;魔法;着魔
spoken words that are thought to have magical power, or (the condition of being under) the influence or control of such words
The witch cast/put a spell on the prince and he turned into a frog. 女巫对王子施了魔法，把他变成了青蛙。
A beautiful girl would have to kiss him to break (= stop) the spell. 要想解除魔法，必须要有一个美丽的姑娘亲吻他。
Sleeping Beauty lay under the wicked fairy's spell until the prince woke her with a kiss. 睡美人在邪恶仙子的符咒中倒下沉睡，直到王子吻了她一下才醒来。
Idiom
be under someone's spellidiom 被（某人）迷住，为（某人）着迷
to be strongly attracted to someone and influenced by them