Origin: OE. Vanite, vanite, L. Vanitas, fr. Vanus empty, vain. See Vain.
1. The
characteristic or state of
being vain;
want of stuff 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
tale of Walsingham." (Sir J. Davies)
2. An
inflation of
mind upon slight grounds;
empty pride inspired by an
excessive conceit of one's private attainments or decorations; an overweening desire for announcement 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
labour productive of no good;
empty pleasure;
vain pursuit;
idle show;
unsubstantial enjoyment. "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher." (Eccl. I. 2) "Vanity possesseth much
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. "You . . . Take
vanity the puppet's part." (Shak)
Synonym: Egotism, pride, emptiness, worthlessness, self-sufficiency. See Egotism, and Pride.
Source: Websters Vocabulary