Snell

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -É›l

From Middle English snell ("quick, fast") from Old English snel, snell ("") from Proto-Germanic *snellaz ("active, swift, brisk"). Akin to Old Saxon snel, snell (""), Dutch snel, Old High German snel (whence German schnell ("quick, swift"), Italian snello ("quick, nimble"), Old French esnel, isnel ("snell"), and Occitan isnel, irnel ("snell")), Old Norse snjallr ("skilful, excellent") (whence Danish snild ("clever")).

Full definition of snell

Adjective

1. Active, brisk or nimble; Lively.He is a remarkably snell young lad.
2. Quick, sudden; Sharp.That horny-handed, snell, peremptory little man. --Dr. J. Brown.
3. Quick-witted; Witty.
4. Harsh; Severe.

Origin Unknown.

Noun

1. A short line of horsehair, gut, monofilament, etc., by which a fishhook or lure is attached to a longer (and usually heavier) line.

Related terms

• snell knot

Verb

1. To tie a hook to the end of a fishing line with a snell knot.Can you show me how to snell a hook?