spelling

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   present participle and gerund of spell

   [p 88] A persuasive theory about the authority of the quarto or Folio texts might shed light on how Shakespeare actually spelt these names in a particular manuscript, but, since Shakespeare seemed capable of spelling his own name differently on different occasions, how reliable a guide would such evidence be?

2. 2
   noun

   The act, practice, ability, or subject of forming words with letters, or of reading the letters of words; orthography.

   For the practical use of spelling comes in writing.

3. 3
   noun

   The manner of spelling of words; correct spelling.

   Because Elizabethan spelling was fluid, editors feel free to ‘modernize’ (correct) the spelling in the quartos and the Folio. But how is one to spell Rosencratz or Guildenstern, where the spelling varies, not only from text to text, but even within texts?

4. 4
   noun

   A specific spelling of a word.

   [p 253] *excellent Q2’s ‘extent’ is generally dismissed as an error, probably a mis-reading of ‘exlent’, a common spelling at this time. [p 269] reverend The spellings ‘reuerent’ (Q2) and ‘Reuerend’ (F) were interchangeable at this time. [p 466] Guildensterne and Rosincrance are F’s consistent spellings.

5. 5
   noun

   A spelling test or spelling bee.

   The boys were anxious for a spelling in the evening but I said no.

6. 6
   noun

   A choice of notation among enharmonic equivalents for the same pitch.

   The spelling of a pitch is strongly influenced by its harmonic and melodic context.

7. 7
   noun

   forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage

Etymology

1400s, from spell (verb) + -ing.