bewitched, dry spell, spelt, gridlock, spells, barren patch, down under is on the top

Our quote of the day is from Austrian-British philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein

52

The Economist

The Three Lions have endured 50 years of hurt. But Spain (44 years), France (54), the Netherlands (54) and Portugal (their entire history) have also had barren patches. Such is the nature of international football

England’s dry spell is nothing unusual, and unlikely to end soon

The Three Lions are far from the only international football team to have…

ECON.ST

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That, he suggested, was one reason why he had decided to step down as SNP leader. Twenty years as SNP leader, with a four year break, and seven years as first minister, something that has been "the privilege of my life" was, he said, a "fair spell".


  Spelt, an ancient wheat. Photograph: Alamy
The whole issue of carbohydrates and sugars has been maybe irredeemably muddied by people such as Sarah Ferguson eating spelt, and then going: "I went wheat-free and the weight fell off me," and everybody going: "Wow. That's some strange ju-jitsu, considering spelt is just a variety of wheat."



西方人常揶揄澳洲是Down under的國度, 趁2000年舉辦奧運，澳大利亞人以「Down under is on the top 」，成功定位自己在新世紀的角色。同樣地，打開苗栗的窗口，我們發現山城正在訴說──「後退就是向前」的一連串的故事。

Central Banks Criticize Europe for Political Gridlock

By JACK EWING and JAMES KANTER

The Bank for International Settlements warned political leaders not to expect central banks to hold the global economy together forever.

Europe's Banks Face New Funding Squeeze

An extraordinary dry spell in the market for long-term European bank funding is amplifying pressure on policy makers to devise a solution to the Continent's banking crisis.

Economy Spells Trouble for Leading Party in Japan
By MARTIN FACKLER
A growing frustration over mass layoffs and tough times breeds an unusual call for change in parliamentary elections in risk-averse Japan.


a spell of gridlock.

Jujutsu, a martial art from Japan consisting of grappling and striking techniques

Definition of gridlock

noun

• 1 [mass noun] a situation of very severe traffic congestion:the city reaches gridlock during peak hours

• 2 another term for deadlock (sense 1 of the noun).

Derivatives

gridlocked
adjective

dówn únder[dówn únder]

[名][形][副]((時にD- U-))((略式))（英国から見て）地球の裏側(the antipodes)（の, で, へ）；オーストラリア［ニュージーランド］（の, で, へ）.

 

spell

v., spelled, or spelt (spĕlt), spell·ing, spells. v.tr.

1. To name or write in order the letters constituting (a word or part of a word).
2. To constitute the letters of (a word): These letters spell phrasal verbs:spell down
   
   1. To defeat in a spelling bee.
   spell out
   1. To make explicit and clear: asked him to spell out his objectives.
   2. To name or write in order the letters that constitute (a word or part of a word): spelled out my name.
   [Middle English spellen, to read letter by letter, from Old French espeller, of Germanic origin.]
   
   spell² (spĕl)
   n.
   1. 1. A word or formula believed to have magic power.
      2. A bewitched state; a trance.
   2. A compelling attraction; charm or fascination: the spell of the theater.
   tr.v., spelled, spell·ing, spells.
   To put (someone) under a spell; bewitch.
   [Middle English, discourse, from Old English.]
   
   spell³ (spĕl)
   n.
   1. A short, indefinite period of time.
   2. Informal. A period of weather of a particular kind: a dry spell.
   3. 1. One's turn at work.
      2. A period of work; a shift.
   4. Australian. A period of rest.
   5. Informal. A period of physical or mental disorder or distress: a dizzy spell.
   6. Informal. A short distance.
   
   v., spelled, spell·ing, spells. v.tr.
   1. To relieve (someone) from work temporarily by taking a turn.
   2. To allow to rest a while.
   v.intr.
   1. To take turns working.
   2. Australian. To rest for a time from an activity.
   [From Middle English spelen, to spare, from Old English spelian, to represent, substitute for.]
   
   
   
   
   

   spelt 2

   Line breaks: spelt
   

   Pronunciation: /spɛlt

   noun

   [mass noun] An old kind of wheat with bearded ears and spikelets that each contain two narrow grains, not widely grown but favoured as a health food. Compare with einkorn, emmer.
   

   • Triticum spelta, family Gramineae

   
   

dry spell
(′drī ′spel)
(climatology) A period of abnormally dry weather, generally reserved for a less extensive, and therefore less severe, condition than a drought; in the United States, describes a period lasting not less than 2 weeks, during which no measurable precipitation was recorded.

Urban Dictionary: dry spell

www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dry%20spell

Top Definition. dry spell. to go for a period of time (usually longer than shorter) without something; sex, drugs, etc. After their breackup in August, she had a 4 ...

bewitch

bɪˈwɪtʃ/

verb

1. cast a spell over (someone).

   
   

   "a handsome prince who had been bewitched by a sorceress"

   
   

   synonyms:

   cast a spell on, put a spell on, enchant; More

   • enchant and delight (someone).

     
     

     "they both were bewitched by the golden luminosity of Italy"