The Importance of Being Earnest: Act II

by Oscar Wilde
Jack and Algernon — two bachelors in 19th-century England — use false identities to get what they want — and get into trouble — in this comedy by Oscar Wilde. Read the full text here. Read the full texthere.

Here are links to our lists for the play: Act I, Act II, Act III
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. utilitarian
    having a useful function
    Surely such a utilitarian occupation as the watering of flowers is rather Moulton’s duty than yours? Especially at a moment when intellectual pleasures await you.
  2. vacillating
    uncertain in purpose or action
    I do not think that even I could produce any effect on a character that according to his own brother’s admission is irretrievably weak and vacillating.
  3. hypocrisy
    pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not have
    I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.
  4. quixotic
    not sensible about practical matters
    ALGERNON. Well, would you mind my reforming myself this afternoon?
    CECILY. It is rather Quixotic of you.
  5. misanthrope
    someone who dislikes people in general
    You are too much alone, dear Dr. Chasuble. You should get married. A misanthrope I can understand—a womanthrope, never!
  6. precept
    a doctrine that is taught
    The precept as well as the practice of the Primitive Church was distinctly against matrimony.
  7. garb
    clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
    Dear Mr. Worthing, I trust this garb of woe does not betoken some terrible calamity?
  8. interment
    the ritual placing of a corpse in a grave
    Will the interment take place here?
  9. canonical
    conforming to orthodox or recognized rules
    The sprinkling, and, indeed, the immersion of adults is a perfectly canonical practice.
  10. equanimity
    steadiness of mind under stress
    It is always painful to part from people whom one has known for a very brief space of time. The absence of old friends one can endure with equanimity. But even a momentary separation from anyone to whom one has just been introduced is almost unbearable.
  11. impetuous
    characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
    [Kisses her and rushes down the garden.]
    CECILY. What an impetuous boy he is!
  12. lorgnette
    eyeglasses that are held to the eyes with a long handle
    GWENDOLEN. [After examining Cecily carefully through a lorgnette.] You are here on a short visit, I suppose.
  13. arduous
    characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
    My dear guardian, with the assistance of Miss Prism, has the arduous task of looking after me.
  14. presumptuous
    going beyond what is appropriate, permitted, or courteous
    Do you allude to me, Miss Cardew, as an entanglement? You are presumptuous.
  15. machination
    a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends
    To save my poor, innocent, trusting boy from the machinations of any other girl there are no lengths to which I would not go.
Created on Sun Sep 22 21:33:49 EDT 2013 (updated Mon Aug 04 11:52:12 EDT 2025)

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