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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Vanity \Van"i*ty\, noun; pl. {Vanities}. [OE. vanite, vanit['e], L. vanitas, fr. vanus empty, vain. See {Vain}.]
1. The quality or state of being vain; want of substance to satisfy desire; emptiness; unsubstantialness; unrealness; falsity.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. --Eccl. i. 2.
Here I may well show the vanity of that which is reported in the story of Walsingham. --Sir J. Davies.
2. An inflation of mind upon slight grounds; empty pride inspired by an overweening conceit of one's personal attainments or decorations; an excessive desire for notice or approval; pride; ostentation; conceit.
The exquisitely sensitive vanity of Garrick was galled. --Macaulay.
3. That which is vain; anything empty, visionary, unreal, or unsubstantial; fruitless desire or effort; trifling labor productive of no good; empty pleasure; vain pursuit; idle show; unsubstantial enjoyment.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher. --Eccl. i. 2.
Vanity possesseth many who are desirous to know the certainty of things to come. --Sir P. Sidney.
[Sin] with vanity had filled the works of men. --Milton.
Think not, when woman's transient breath is fled, That all her vanities at once are dead; Succeeding vanities she still regards. --Pope.
4. One of the established characters in the old moralities and puppet shows. See {Morality}, noun, 5.
You . . . take vanity the puppet's part. --Shak.
5. same as {dressing table}. [PJC]
6. A cabinet built around a bathroom sink, usually with a countertop and sometimes drawers. [PJC]
Syn: Egotism; pride; emptiness; worthlessness; self-sufficiency. See {Egotism}, and {Pride}.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |