[eel] n [ME ele, fr. OE ael; akin to OHG al eel] (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of numerous voracious elongate snakelike bony fishes (order Anguilliformes) that have a smooth slimy skin, lack pelvic fins, and have the median fins confluent around the tail--compare american eel b: any of numerous other elongate fishes (as of the order Symbranchii)
2: any of various nematodes -- eel.like adj -- eely adj