UNUSUAL WORDS CXV

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

1. CRU

2. ZELIG 

3. PLAICE 

4. SHAMUS

5. SALTANT

6. TRIREME

7. EREMITE

8. TREACLE 

9. MORAINE 

10. KINKAJOU

11. PARLANCE

12. SOBRIQUET

13. GRIMALKIN 

14. SEQUESTER

15. PREPRANDIAL

 

Answers:

 

1. CRU -  A vineyard, especially one known for producing high-quality wine

 

2. ZELIG -  A person, typically an ordinary, unimportant person, who seems to turn up with surprising or unaccountable frequency at important events / A highly adaptable, opportunistic person

 

3. PLAICE - A North Atlantic flatfish (flounder) used for food

 

4. SHAMUS - Private detective

 

5. SALTANT - Leaping, jumping, dancing, springing forward

 

6. TRIREME - An ancient Greek or Roman war galley with unprecedented propulsive power achieved through 171 oarsmen arranged in three tiers on each side of the vessel

 

7. EREMITE - A religious recluse

 

8. TREACLE - A thick, dark syrup similar to molasses / cloying sentimentality or flattery

 

9. MORAINE - Landform made up of glacial till - ice, rocks, sand and clay - Moraines can create and feed glacial lakes

 

10. KINKAJOU - A nocturnal, tree-dwelling mammal with a prehensile tail - related to the raccoon and native to Central and South America / also known as the honey bear 

 

11. PARLANCE - Jargon - a way of speaking using words common to a particular job or interest 

 

12. SOBRIQUET - A nickname

 

13. GRIMALKIN - A cat - especially an old female / a derogatory term for a crotchety or shrewish old woman 

 

14. SEQUESTER -  Isolate or hide away

 

15. PREPRANDIAL - Before dinner