UNUSUAL WORDS CXIII

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

1. PULE

2. SPOOR

3. OBVIATE

4. CHICANE

5. CHICANERY

6. POLENTA

7. VALANCE

8. SPALLING 

9. EFFLUENT

10. NEMATODE

11. FLAGICIOUS 

Answers:

1. PULE - Cry weakly or softly

2. SPOOR -  The track or scent of an animal

3. OBVIATE - Remove a need or difficulty

4. CHICANE - Artificial narrowing or sharp turn on an auto-racing course

5. CHICANERY - Trickery, deceit

6. POLENTA - An Italian dish of boiled cornmeal that can be allowed to solidify into a loaf that can be baked, fried, or grilled

7. VALANCE -  Short length of drapery hung over a window to conceal the curtain fittings

8. SPALLING - The process of chipping, hammering, etc. to gain an approximately level surface on stone, concrete, etc. 

9. EFFLUENT -  Sewage, liquid waste discharged into a river or the ocean

 

10. NEMATODE -  A worm

11. FLAGICIOUS - Heinous, vicious, brutal - as crimes