Pronunciations
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/snɛl/
Adjective
Quick, smart; sharp, active, brisk or nimble; lively.
Usage- Scotland
- Examples
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That in ilk action, wise and snell / You may shaw Manly fire.
That horny-handed, snell, peremptory little man.
More examples (1)
Amos is a lithe, keen, snell man.
Quick-witted; clever.
Usage- Scotland
- Examples
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More examples (1)
With all this heavy artillery, somewhat slow and cumbrous, on great questions, he had no want, when he was speaking off-hand, of quick, snell remark, often witty and full of spirit, and often too unexpected, like lightning—flashing, smiting, and gone.
Harsh, severe, or stinging.
Usage- Scotland
- Examples
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More examples (2)
Conscience is a rough lad, I grant you, and I am keen and snell also; but never mind, take his advice, and you’ll be some credit to your freens yet, ye scoonrel.
Fortunately, we were well prepared for such an emergency, and being sheltered in a safe creek, we roofed the ship with canvas against the snow; and so, with land on every side of us, plenty of moss fuel ashore, a good stock of provisions, and firearms for hunting, we held our trouble, and passed the snell season without the loss of a single soul aboard.
Noun
A short line of horsehair, gut, monofilament, etc., by which a fishhook or lure is attached to a longer (and usually heavier) line.
Usage- Scotland
- Related words
- snell knot
- Examples
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He tied on new baited snells and recovered the current with the oars.
Verb
To tie a hook to the end of a fishing line with a snell knot.
Usage- Scotland
- Examples
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Can you show me how to snell a hook?