A short line of horsehair, gut, monofilament, etc., by which a fishhook or lure is attached to a longer (and usually heavier) line.
"The angler carefully tied the new snell onto his hook before casting it into the deep water."
To tie a hook to the end of a fishing line with a snell knot.
"Before casting, I carefully snelled my lure by tying a secure snell knot around the hook shank."
Quick, smart; sharp, active, brisk or nimble; lively.
"The snell little fox darted through the brush to escape the hounds."