snell

1 of 2

adjective

ˈsnel 

1

chiefly Scotland : quick, acute

2

chiefly Scotland : keen, piercing

a snell wind smote us

—Scotsman

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

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