figure vs spell

figure

verb
  • To come to understand. 

  • To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize. 

  • To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords. 

  • To calculate, to solve a mathematical problem. 

  • To enter into; to be a part of. 

  • To think, to assume, to suppose, to reckon. 

  • To embellish with design; to adorn with figures. 

  • To embellish. 

  • To be reasonable. 

noun
  • A visible pattern as in wood or cloth. 

  • A number, an amount. 

  • A drawing or diagram conveying information. 

  • A human figure, which dress or corset must fit to; the shape of a human body. 

  • A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a motif; a florid embellishment. 

  • The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term. 

  • A figure of speech. 

  • The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person. 

  • A person or thing representing a certain consciousness. 

  • A numeral. 

  • A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses. 

  • Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression. 

  • The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modelling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body. 

  • A shape. 

  • Any complex dance moveᵂ. 

spell

verb
  • To clarify; to explain in detail. 

  • To be able to write or say the letters that form words. 

  • To work in place of (someone). 

  • To constitute; to measure. 

  • To rest (someone or something), to give someone or something a rest or break. 

  • Of letters: to compose (a word). 

  • To indicate that (some event) will occur. 

  • To rest from work for a time. 

  • To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm. 

  • To write or say the letters that form a word or part of a word. 

noun
  • An uninterrupted series of alternate overs bowled by a single bowler. 

  • A magical effect or influence induced by an incantation or formula. 

  • An indefinite period of time (usually with a qualifier); by extension, a relatively short distance. 

  • Words or a formula supposed to have magical powers. 

  • A definite period (of work or other activity). 

  • A splinter, usually of wood; a spelk. 

  • The wooden bat in the game of trap ball, or knurr and spell. 

  • A period of rest; time off. 

  • A period of illness, or sudden interval of bad spirits, disease etc. 

  • A shift (of work); (rare) a set of workers responsible for a specific turn of labour. 

How often have the words figure and spell occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )