Category:Vanity

Van"i*ty, n.; pl. Vanities. Etym: [oe. vanite, vanité, 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, n., 5. You. . . take vanity the puppet's part. Shak.

Syn. -- egotism; pride; emptiness; worthlessness; self-sufficiency. See Egotism, and pride.