spell

I.

n.

In England, a turn at work or duty;in Australasia, always a period of rest from duty. It is quitepossible that etymologically Spell is connected withGer. spielen, in which case the Australasian use is themore correct. See `Skeat's Etymological Dictionary.'

1865. J. O. Tucker, `Australian Story,' c. i. p. 84:

«The only recompense was . . . to light his pipe and havea `spell.'»

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 84:

«Having a spell – – what we should call a short holiday.»

II.

v.

to rest.

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia,' vol. ii.p. 42:

«In order to spell the oars, we landed at a point on the eastside.»

1880. G. n. Oakley, in `Victoria in 1880,' p. 114:

«He `spelled' upon the ground; a hollow gum

Bore up his ample back and bade him rest;

And creaked no warning when he sat upon

A war-ant's nest.»

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer,' c. xxiv. p. 328:

«There's a hundred and fifty stock-horses there, spelling fornext winter's work.»

1896. Baldwin Spencer, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia,'Narrative, p. 48:

«We camped beside a water-pool containing plenty of fish, andhere we spelled for a day to allow some of us to go on andphotograph Chamber's Pillar.»