Spel

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. An old term for a narrative, tale or formal discourse that was told or recited aloud to listeners
2. Archaic noun referring to a story or account, especially one delivered as a spoken recitation
3. A dated word for a tale or speech, once used for a recounted story or a formal address

Etymology: The "spel" you've asked about is an older form of "spell," from Old English "spel," which meant a story, tale, or speech. Its most famous survivor is "gospel," which began as "godspel," literally "good story" or "good news," in which the second element is this same word. Old English "spel" comes from a Germanic root that also gave Old High German "spel," meaning a game or play, which is related to modern German "Spiel." So the same root covers both speaking and playing. The sense of a magical incantation developed later, in Middle English. A charm was thought of as a formula spoken in a particular order, so "spel" came to mean a set of words with supernatural power. The sense of a period of time, as in "a spell of rain," probably grew from the idea of a turn or a stretch of work, but its exact path is less certain.