Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - snell

 biographical name George Davis 1903-1996 American research geneticist SNELL  I. adjective  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German snel bold, agile  Date: before 12th century  1. chiefly Scottish quick, acute  2. chiefly Scottish keen, piercing a ~ wind smote us — Scotsman  3. chiefly Scottish grievous, severe  II. noun  Etymology: origin unknown  Date: 1846 a short line (as of gut) by which a fishhook is attached to a longer line