Obs. rare. Also 7 speale. [ad. OF. espeler (mod.F. épeler), espelir: cf. SPELL v.2]

1

  1.  trans. a. To interpret or explain as. b. To signify or mean.

2

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 170. Þes nome Assuer is ispeled eadi,… & bitocneð God: eadi ouer alle. Ibid. Mardocheus speleð ‘amare conterens impudentem.’

3

  2.  intr. To spell.

4

a. 1400.  Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS., 694/76. Sum leueþ on hit, As children leorneþ for to spele.

5

1611.  Cotgr., Espeler, to spell, to speale; to ioyne letters, or sillables together. Ibid., Espelement, a spelling, or spealing of words.

6

  Hence † Speler (in 7 spealer), = SPELLER2 1.

7

1611.  Cotgr., Appelleur, a caller; or spealer.

8