spell² n [C] 1 a piece of magic, or the special words or ceremonies used in making magic happen 魔法; 符咒，咒语: cast a spell The witches cast a spell on the young prince. 女巫对那年轻的王子施了魔法。 put a spell on sb A spell was put on her that made her sleep for 100 years. 她被施了魔法，使她昏睡了 100 年。 2 a short period of time 一段短时间，一阵子: He once spent a short spell in jail. 他曾坐过一阵子牢。