spells (spel)

t. [ME. spelen, spelien, Spell is a kinde of verse or char me, that in elder tymes they used often to say over every thing that they would have preserved, as the Nights pel for the eves, and the wood spell . And here hence, I thinke, is named the gospel , as it were Gods spell, or worde. And so sayth Chaucer. Spenser , Shep. Cal., March, Glo e. spell When one is obliged to be spelled for the purpose of natural rest, he should leave his injunctions to a judicious negro. T. Roughley, Jamaica Planters' Guide (1823), p. 340. Mrs. Savor kept her seat beside Annie. She said, "Don't you want I should spell you a little while, Mi Kilburn?" Howells, Annie Kilburn, xvi, (eds)