"Spell-off," in which each speller is given the same list of words and 90 seconds to spell as many words as possible; each speller is sequestered until it is their turn to compete. Unlike in regular competition, the definition, language of origin, and part of speech of each word is displayed on a monitor. The speller is allowed to ask questions of the pronouncer, however, they are using their own time to do so. The winner would be the speller that spelled the most words correctly within their 90 seconds (words not completed within the time do not count towards the tally); in case of a tie, the speller with fewer incorrect spellings would win. The Spell-off was retained for, and first used in, the 2022 competition. Regulations of oral rounds Before 2004, a speller could not be required to spell a given word until the judges deemed that the word had been clearly pronounced and identified by the speller; even then, judges rarely if ever instructed a contestant to begin spelling unless it was obvious that the speller was making no further progress in figuring out the word and that he/she was instead simply "stalling for time". Most local and regional competitions continue to follow this rule and enforcement pattern, although they are not obliged to do so. Starting in 2004, the Bee adopted new rules. A speller is given two and a half minutes from when a word is first pronounced to spell it completely. The first two minutes are Regular Time; the final thirty seconds are Finish Time. During this time limit, a speller is allowed to ask the pronouncer for the word's: Definition Part of speech Use in a sentence Language(s) of origin (the complete etymology of the word is not provided) Alternate pronunciations Root (A speller may ask whether a word comes from a particular root word or word element, but the competitor must specify that root's language of origin and definition.) Repeat the word A chime signals that regular time has expired, and the judges inform the speller that Finish Time has begun. The speller may watch a clock counting down from thirty seconds; no timing devices are allowed onstage. During Finish Time, a speller may not make further requests to the pronouncer but rather must begin spelling the word. Any speller who exceeds the time limit is automatically eliminated; judges do not acknowledge