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• snell
  snell

  noun

  a short piece of nylon, gut, or the like, by which a fishhook is attached to a line.
• Snell
  Snell

  noun

  Peter (George), 1938–2019, New Zealand distance runner.

snell

¹ American  

[snel] / snɛl /

noun

1. a short piece of nylon, gut, or the like, by which a fishhook is attached to a line.

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snell ² American  

[snel] / snɛl /

adjective

Chiefly Scot.

1. active; lively.

   a snell lad.

2. witty.

   a snell remark.

3. severe.

   snell weather.

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Snell ³ American  

[snel] / snɛl /

noun

1. Peter (George), 1938–2019, New Zealand distance runner.

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Snell ¹ British  

/ snɛl /

noun

1. Sir Peter ( George ). born 1938, New Zealand athlete; winner of three Olympic gold medals: for the 800 metres in 1960, and again in 1964, when he also won gold for the 1500 metres

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snell ² British  

/ snɛl /

adjective

1. biting; bitter; sharp

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Etymology

Origin of snell¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; origin uncertain

Origin of snell²

before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Old High German snel ( German schnell ) quick, Old Norse snjallr excellent

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snell Snell

One benefit of the snell knot is that it aligns the fishing line or leader with the hook shank, resulting in a straight, solid set.

From Time Magazine Archive

The snell knot is also useful for tying tandem-hook rigs: simply tie the trailing hook to a long tag end coming off the rear of the lead hook.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thread the leader through the mantle and to the bottom of the squid, then snell a 9/0 to 10/0 Mustad Super Marlin 7761 BLN hook to the leader.

From Time Magazine Archive

Note: for the snell to be tied properly, the loop must pass around the hook bend and the tag end with each wrap.

From Time Magazine Archive

This gives the snell about one foot in length, with the two lower hooks standing at right angles, one above the other and a third and smaller hook in line with the second.

From Woodcraft by George Washington Sears

Or when he spent $182 million to sign Snell before last season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

Bauers delivered the knockout blow in Milwaukee’s 6-2 victory on Wednesday, smashing a go-ahead, two-run home run off ace Blake Snell to give the Brewers a lead they would never relinquish.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Situation: Blake Snell has retired 14 consecutive batters entering the seventh inning, with the Dodgers leading, 2-1.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

That’s when Bauers went to work against Snell.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

“Mildred,” Sandra, still laughing, addressed Mrs. Snell, “you’re gonna miss your bus if ya don’t get a move on.”

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

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