snell

1 of 2

adjective

1
chiefly Scotland : quick, acute
2
chiefly Scotland : keen, piercing
a snell wind smote usScotsman
3
chiefly Scotland : grievous, severe

snell

2 of 2

noun

: a short line (as of gut) by which a fishhook is attached to a longer line

Examples of snell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Start by connecting the hook to the leader via a snell knot or Palomar knot. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 26 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'snell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German snel bold, agile

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snell was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near snell

Cite this Entry

“Snell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snell. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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