[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

vanity \van"ity\, n.; pl. vanities. oe. vanite, f.
   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
see also:
vanities vain morality dressing table egotism pride 

Vanities >> V Words
Vanities, definition of term: Vanities
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