Definition of "eel"

eel

/iːl/

noun
plural eels
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.
  Quotations
  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
third-person singular simple present eels, present participle eeling, simple past and past participle eeled
1. To fish for eels.
2. To move with a sinuous motion like that of an eel.