Meaning

(chiefly British) simple past and past participle of spell.

Definitions by Sense

1. (chiefly British) simple past and past participle of spell
2. A grain, considered either a subspecies of wheat, Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta, or a separate species Triticum spelta or Triticum dicoccon.
3. (dialect, Northern England, Scotland) A thin piece of wood or metal; a splinter.
4. (metalworking) Spelter.
5. (obsolete, rare) Of dried beans: pounded, crushed, or split.
6. (transitive, obsolete) To grind or crush (grain or pulses).

Example Sentences

Yes, yes; he teaches boys the hornbook. What is a, b, spelt / backward with the horn on his head?

[H]alfe an houre after give him a pottell of Oates and a pinte of ſpelt Beanes, then a ſmall bottel of Hay: […]

The next day very early as may be, firſt feed, then dreſſe, after cloath and ſaddle, then ayre him abroad, and water him as hath been before ſhewed, after bring him home, and feed him with oats, ſpelt beans, and bread, as was laſt of all declared, onely very little Hay, […]

Theſe loaves baked and cooled, after three days cut off the Cruſt, and with Oats well dryed and rubbed between your hands, being alſo winnowed and ſifted, and a quantity of the beſt ſpelt Beans; […]

In Summer, in Choleric Fevers eſpecially, let him feed upon things effectually cold, as Vine-buds, Willow-leaves, Pond-reeds, Dog-graſs, Endive and Lettuce; in the Winter, Hay ſprinkl’d with Honey, Spelt Beans, and Oates, never giving ’em either Barly or Straw in Fevers, which will but harden the dung, and make it difficult to paſs through the Bowels.

spelted Beans

Word Forms

• spelled
• spelts
• spelting
• spelted

Synonyms for spelt

Related Words

When Should You Use Spelt?

Use spelt when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions