spell
109
2.7
- noun
- /spɛl/
- You're just going through a dry spell.
- a dry spell
- a cold spell
- a long spell
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Watch on YouTubeI was getting dizzy spells, I was getting nausea, I was getting headaches.
- I was getting dizzy spells, I was getting nausea, I was getting headaches.
- Like it wasn't it wasn't a long, it wasn't a long spell in that.
- You know what I was, man, Do the short time spell before I got locked up that I was addicted.
- And I do remember he went through this spell.
Examples
-
Maybe I should rest up for a spell; I'm not as young as I used to be.
Fiction book (1993) -
At one point, he had to withdraw from the job for a spell, unnerved by the endless disputes.
Academic text (2011) -
A spell in the country might be the very thing.
-
" George is having a bit of a spell at the moment," she said.
Fiction book (1993) -
There would be a short period of calm before the next spell of really bad weather.
Academic text (1994) -
One thing was certain, he was never the same after this little spell of sickness.
-
Let us assume that market participants expect this spell of cold weather to be temporary.
Academic text (2001) -
And she was thankful for the breathing spell, for all three of them.
Fiction book (1993) -
He's just helping me through a rough spell.
-
After a brief spell of intense study, she felt ready for the exam.
Synonyms
∞
2.0
A particular occasion when something happens or you feel it
∞
1.0
A short period of time
81
9.9
A short distance or period of time
77
5.0
A short fixed time spent doing a job
46
5.1
A short period of time with a particular condition or activity
Antonyms
Idioms
Compounds
How Long
Surface Forms
Etymology
Spell meaning a short period comes from the idea of a brief 'telling' or 'turn' from the old word for 'speech', so a 'spell' is simply a short time when something happens.