Anabaptists a religious group that believes the only form of baptism should be complete immersion of the body in water.
"a restraining influence" the presence of servants that causes the principal characters to be careful in their speech.
Army Lists published lists of commissioned officers in the British Army.
"As a man sows, so let him reap." This is a verse from the Bible, Galatians 6:7, meaning that actions determine fate.
Belgrave Square another affluent London area in Belgravia.
Bunbury the name of a school friend of Wilde's. Here, someone who deceives.
canonical practice church law.
corrupt French Drama possibly a reference to the plays of Alexander Dumas in the 1850s.
Court Guides an annual reference manual listing the names and addresses of members of the upper class and aristocracy.
Divorce Court Before 1857, divorces could only be granted by Parliament at great expense, and they rarely happened. In 1857, Divorce Court was passed by Parliament, making divorce easier.
effeminate having the qualities generally attributed to women, such as weakness, timidity, delicacy and so on; unmanly; not virile.
effrontery unashamed boldness.
egeria chastity. Egeri, a nymph, gave wise laws to Numa Pompilius of Rome that were used for the vestal virgins.
Evensong a Sunday evening religious service.
Funds government stocks that give a low yield of interest but are conservative and safe.
German skepticism a German philosophy that examines style or appearance rather than substance.
Grosvenor Square a very affluent area of London in the Mayfair district.
Half Moon Street a very fashionable street in London's West End; its location is handy to gentlemen's clubs, restaurants and theatres.
Liberal Unionist a political group that voted against Home Rule for Ireland in 1886. Liberals were the conservative political group.
lorgnette a pair of eyeglasses attached to a handle.
machinations an artful or secret plot or scheme.
