disspell

Disspell is a rarely used variant spelling of the English verb dispel. In contemporary standard English, the preferred form is dispel, meaning to drive away, dissipate, or banish something, such as a doubt, fear, or magical effect. When encountered in fiction or gaming, "disspell" is usually intended to convey the same sense, but it is not widely recognized as a separate entry in standard dictionaries and is considered nonstandard.

Etymology and spelling: Both "dispel" and "disspell" trace to the same roots: dis- (apart, away) and spell (a magical enchantment). The standard historical form in English is "dispel." "Disspell" appears chiefly as a rare, archaic, or erroneous variant, sometimes used stylistically in fantasy writing. Some early modern texts show "dispell" with two l, illustrating inconsistent spellings before standardization.

Usage and examples: In ordinary prose, readers should use "dispel" for non-magical senses (to dispel rumors) and magical senses (to dispel a spell). In fantasy media, "disspell" may be used as a deliberate stylistic choice or game jargon, often as a label for counter-spell mechanics or spell-negation actions. Regardless, "dispel" remains the normative form in dictionaries and most editors.

See also: dispel; dispelling; dispeller; counterspell.