[snell] adj [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG snel bold, agile] (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly Scot: quick, acute
2. chiefly Scot: keen, piercing "a ~ wind smote us --Scotsman" 3 chiefly Scot: grievous, severe
[2]snell n [origin unknown] (1846): a short line (as of gut) by which a fishhook is attached to a longer line