Spell, v. i. 1. To form words with letters, esp. with the proper letters, either orally or in writing.
When what small knowledge was, in them did dwell,
And he a god, who could but read or spell. Dryden.
2. To study by noting characters; to gain knowledge or learn the meaning of anything, by study.
Where I may sit and rightly spell
Of every star that heaven doth shew,
And every herb that sips the dew. Milton.