Vanity

Vanity
Vanity Van"i*ty, n.; pl. {Vanities}. [OE. vanite, vanit['e], L. vanitas, fr. vanus empty, vain. See {Vain}.] [1913 Webster] 1. The quality or state of being vain; want of substance to satisfy desire; emptiness; unsubstantialness; unrealness; falsity. [1913 Webster]

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. --Eccl. i. 2. [1913 Webster]

Here I may well show the vanity of that which is reported in the story of Walsingham. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

The exquisitely sensitive vanity of Garrick was galled. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher. --Eccl. i. 2. [1913 Webster]

Vanity possesseth many who are desirous to know the certainty of things to come. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]

[Sin] with vanity had filled the works of men. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Think not, when woman's transient breath is fled, That all her vanities at once are dead; Succeeding vanities she still regards. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

4. One of the established characters in the old moralities and puppet shows. See {Morality}, n., 5. [1913 Webster]

You . . . take vanity the puppet's part. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

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}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Vanity — ist: der englische Begriff für Eitelkeit der Künstlername der Sängerin/Schauspielerin Denise Matthews der Name einer Pornodarstellerin, siehe Vaniity ein Begriff der Telekommunikation, siehe Vanity Rufnummer Vanity Verlag bezeichnet einen Verlag …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • vanity — (n.) early 13c., that which is vain, futile, or worthless, from O.Fr. vanite, from L. vanitatem (nom. vanitas) emptiness, foolish pride, from vanus empty, vain, idle (see VAIN (Cf. vain)). Meaning self conceited is attested from mid 14c. Vanity… …   Etymology dictionary

  • vanity — [van′ə tē] n. pl. vanities [ME vanite < OFr vanité < L vanitas, emptiness, worthlessness < vanus, vain: see WANT] 1. any thing or act that is vain, futile, idle, or worthless 2. the quality or fact of being vain, or worthless; futility 3 …   English World dictionary

  • vanity — index jactation, pride Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • vanity — *pride, vainglory Analogous words: self esteem, self love, *conceit, egotism, egoism, amour propre: complacency, self complacency, self satisfaction, smugness, priggishness (see corresponding adjectives at COMPLACENT): show, ostentation, pretense …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • vanity — [n] conceit, egotism affectation, airs, arrogance, big headedness*, conceitedness, display, ego trip*, narcissism, ostentation, pretension, pride, self admiration, self love, self worship, show*, showing off*, smugness, vainglory; concept 410 Ant …   New thesaurus

  • vanity — ► NOUN (pl. vanities) 1) excessive pride in or admiration of one s own appearance or achievements. 2) the quality of being worthless or futile. ORIGIN Latin vanitas, from vanus empty, without substance …   English terms dictionary

  • Vanity 6 — Infobox musical artist Name = Vanity 6 Img capt = Background = group or band Birth name = Alias = Origin = Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Genre = R B, funk, soul, new wave, pop, rock Occupation = Band Years active = 1981 1983 Label = Warner… …   Wikipedia

  • Vanity — In conventional parlance, vanity is the excessive belief in one s own abilities or attractiveness to others. In many religions vanity is considered a form of self idolatry, in which one rejects God for the sake of one s own image, and thereby… …   Wikipedia

  • vanity — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Excessive pride Nouns 1. vanity, conceit, conceitedness; immodesty, self esteem, self love, self praise; complacency, smugness, amour propre, hubris; ego trip. See boasting, selfishness. 2. [false] pride …   English dictionary for students

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