UNUSUAL WORDS LXXVI

Can you give a simple definition of these less-frequently-used words?

1. RICTUS

2. ERSATZ

3. MINION

4. ORRERY

5. GERUND

6. MULLION

7. BROMIDE

8. CONVIVIAL

9. INGLENOOK

10. RECRUDESCENCE

Answers:

 

1. RICTUS - A fixed grin or grimace

 

2. ERSATZ - Substitute - typically inferior to the original

 

3. MINION - A servile follower; In Judaism - the minimum number (10) of men required to hold a religious service

 

4. ORRERY - A mechanical model of the solar system

 

5. GERUND - A verb form ending in ING acting as a noun

 

6. MULLION - A vertical supporting bar between the glass panes of a window

 

7. BROMIDE - A cliche or platitude

 

8. CONVIVIAL - Cheerful and friendly

 

9. INGLENOOK - A space on either side of a large fireplace

 

10. RECRUDESCENCE - Recurrence of a disease after remission