Snail

snāl, n. a term for the species of terrestrial Gasteropod a which have well-formed spiral shells—the more typical snails belonging to the genus Helix , of the family Helicidæ , having the shell of many whorls, globose, depre ed, or conical.— ns. Snail′-clov′er , -trē′foil , a species of medic; Snail′-fish , a fish of genus Liparis , sticking to rocks; Snail′-flow′er , a twining bean.— adjs. Snail′-like ( Shak. ), in the manner of a snail, slowly; Snail′-paced ( Shak. ), as slow-moving as a snail; Snail′-slow , as slow as a snail.— n. Snail′-wheel , in some striking time-pieces, a rotating piece with a spiral periphery having notches so arranged as to determine the number of strokes made on the bell.— Snail's pace , a very slow pace. [A.S. snegl , snægl ; Ger. schnecke .]