snell 1
/snel/ , n.
a short piece of nylon, gut, or the like, by which a fishhook is attached to a line.
[ 1840-50, Amer.; orig. uncert. ]
snell 2
/snel/ , adj. Chiefly Scot.
1. active; lively: a snell lad.
2. witty: a snell remark.
3. severe: snell weather.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE; c. OHG snel (G schnell ) quick, ON snjallr excellent ]