Words – their meaning

The human mind can be captivated by the different shades of the meaning of words.  For example consider

MAROON

Most people will know it as a brownish crimson colour.

BUT what about the following meanings of maroon? 

To forcibly detain a person/to isolate uncomfortably.  (When their boat sunk they were marooned on an island.  Think of our own Robben Island where political prisoners were isolated for years.

A detonating firework /An explosive device giving a loud report / used as a warning signal.

 

 GULL  a sea bird,    a person who is easily deceived –  to dupe,  a hoax

SPANIEL   a breed of dog, a person who fawns (to cringe to flatter)