Pygmalion: Act III

by George Bernard Shaw
In this play inspired by the Greek myth of Pygmalion, Professor Henry Higgins bets that he can transform Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower seller, into a cultured and genteel lady. Read the full texthere.

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

words only definitions & notes
  1. pretension
    creating a false appearance of great importance or worth
    Her drawing-room, in a flat on Chelsea embankment, has three windows looking on the river; and the ceiling is not so lofty as it would be in an older house of the same pretension.
  2. chintz
    a brightly printed and glazed cotton fabric
    In the middle of the room there is a big ottoman; and this, with the carpet, the Morris wall-papers, and the Morris chintz window curtains and brocade covers of the ottoman and its cushions, supply all the ornament, and are much too handsome to be hidden by odds and ends of useless things.
  3. brocade
    thick expensive material with a raised pattern
    In the middle of the room there is a big ottoman; and this, with the carpet, the Morris wall-papers, and the Morris chintz window curtains and brocade covers of the ottoman and its cushions, supply all the ornament, and are much too handsome to be hidden by odds and ends of useless things.
  4. divan
    a long backless sofa, usually with pillows
    The corner between the fireplace and the window is occupied by a divan cushioned in Morris chintz.
  5. settee
    a small sofa
    He sits on the settee.
  6. straiten
    bring into difficulties, especially financial hardship
    The mother is well bred, quiet, and has the habitual anxiety of straitened means.
  7. bravado
    a swaggering show of courage
    The daughter has acquired a gay air of being very much at home in society: the bravado of genteel poverty.
  8. soiree
    a party of people assembled in the evening
    Henry: you are the life and soul of the Royal Society's soirees; but really you're rather trying on more commonplace occasions.
  9. flustered
    thrown into a state of agitated confusion
    Eliza, who is exquisitely dressed, produces an impression of such remarkable distinction and beauty as she enters that they all rise, quite flustered.
  10. pedantic
    marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning
    LIZA [speaking with pedantic correctness of pronunciation and great beauty of tone] How do you do, Mrs. Higgins?
  11. infatuated
    marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
    Freddy bows and sits down in the Elizabethan chair, infatuated.
  12. imprecation
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
    He goes to the divan, stumbling into the fender and over the fire-irons on his way; extricating himself with muttered imprecations; and finishing his disastrous journey by throwing himself so impatiently on the divan that he almost breaks it.
  13. ensue
    take place or happen afterward or as a result
    A long and painful pause ensues.
  14. indictment
    an accusation of wrongdoing
    LIZA [piling up the indictment] What call would a woman with that strength in her have to die of influenza? What become of her new straw hat that should have come to me? Somebody pinched it; and what I say is, them as pinched it done her in.
  15. interpose
    get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action
    LIZA. If I was doing it proper, what was you laughing at? [To Higgins] Have I said anything I oughtn’t?
    MRS. HIGGINS [interposing] Not at all, Miss Doolittle.
Created on Mon Feb 09 15:20:03 EST 2015 (updated Fri Aug 01 17:54:16 EDT 2025)

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