SPELL (6)

Spell, v. i. 1. 1. To form words with letters, esp. with the proper letters, either orally or in writing.
When what small knowledge was, in them did dwell, And he a god, who could but read or spell. Dryden. 2. 2. To study by noting characters; to gain knowledge or learn the meaning of anything, by study.
Where I may sit and rightly spell Of every star that heaven doth shew, And every herb that sips the dew. Milton.