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Knell vs Snell - What's the difference?

knell | snell |

As verbs the difference between knell and snell

is that knell is to ring a bell slowly, especially for a funeral; to toll while snell is to tie a hook to the end of a fishing line with a snell knot.

As nouns the difference between knell and snell

is that knell is the sound of a bell knelling; a toll while snell is a short line of horsehair, gut, monofilament, etc., by which a fishhook or lure is attached to a longer (and usually heavier) line.

As an adjective snell is

active, brisk or nimble; lively.

As a proper noun Snell is

{{surname}.

knell

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • to ring a bell slowly, especially for a funeral; to toll.
  • * Beaumont and Fletcher
    • not worth a blessing nor a bell to knell for thee
  • * , The New Timon. A romance of London , Chapter 86
    • Yet all that poets sing, and grief hath known, / Of hopes laid waste, knells in that word, alone .
  • to signal or proclaim something by ringing a bell.

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • the sound of a bell knelling; a toll.
  • * 1750 , , Line 1
    • The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

    Derived terms

    * death knell

    snell

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) ).

    Adjective

    (er) (chiefly Scottish)
  • Active, brisk or nimble; lively.
    • He is a remarkably snell young lad.
  • Quick, sudden; sharp.
    • That horny-handed, snell , peremptory little man. --Dr. J. Brown.
  • Quick-witted; witty.
  • Harsh; severe.

    • Etymology 2

    Origin Unknown.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A short line of horsehair, gut, monofilament, etc., by which a fishhook or lure is attached to a longer (and usually heavier) line.
  • * 1979 , Cormac McCarthy, Suttree , Random House, p.194:
    • He tied on new baited snells and recovered the current with the oars.
    Related terms
    * snell knot

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To tie a hook to the end of a fishing line with a snell knot.
    • Can you show me how to snell a hook?