Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Snell /snĕl/ · IPA /snɛl/ a. n. 01 a. Active; brisk; nimble; quick; sharp. 1. Active; brisk; nimble; quick; sharp.[Archaic or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] “That horny-handed, snell, peremptory little man.” — Dr. J. Brown. 02 n. A short line of horsehair, gut, etc., by which a fishhook is attached to a longer line. 1. A short line of horsehair, gut, etc., by which a fishhook is attached to a longer line.