Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1962
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SNELL, n. Also snael-, ¶smael-. A blaze or stripe, usu. of white, on the face of an animal, esp. of a horse or sheep (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1970). Hence ppl.adj. snelld (Marw.); snellet, snaelit (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), snaelet (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.), misprinted smaelit, having a blaze or stripe of white on the face, white-faced, of an animal (Sh. 1970). Deriv. snellie, the coot, Fulica atra, so called from the large white streak on its forehead (Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1971).Sh. 1962 New Shetlander No. 63. 29:
Dan dir "smaelit," dat is a white wye wi hit.
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"Snell n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snell_n>
