eel

Etymology

From Middle English el, from Old English ǣl (“eel”), from Proto-West Germanic *āl, from Proto-Germanic *ēlaz (“eel”), which is of unknown origin. Cognates: Cognate with West Frisian iel (“eel”), Dutch aal (“eel”), German Low German Aal, Ool (“eel”), German Aal (“eel”), Swedish, Danish and Norwegian ål (“eel”).

noun

1. Any freshwater or marine fish of the order Anguilliformes, which are elongated and resemble snakes.
2. A European eel (Anguilla anguilla).
3. Someone or something that is sneaky and/or hard to catch.
   That Dennis is a right eel, he always seems to slip away from the scene at the right time.
   His expression when incredulous. "Why would you think that?" He was a slippery little eel. 2003, Catherine Anderson, Only by Your Touch
   Philosophers and literary critics from ancient times, along with social scientists, physicians, theologians, and biblical scholars more recently, have tried to get a tentative handle, if not a firm grasp, on this "slippery eel" of humor and laughter. 2004, F. Scott Spencer, Dancing Girls, Loose Ladies, and Women of the Cloth, page 26
   John scowled after the dog. "Never fear, my lady. I shall get the sneaky, slippery eel yet." 2016, Jody Hedlund, Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace, page 131

verb

1. To fish for eels.
2. To move with a sinuous motion like that of an eel.