vanity
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Latin vanus: emptiness or a void - vanitas: vanity through Old French vanité to Middle English.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
vanity (plural vanities)
- That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value, use or profit.
- 1611, “Ecclesiastes 2:15-16”, in The King James Bible:
- Then I said in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me and why then was I more wise? Then I said in my heart that this is also vanity.
For there is no more remembrance of the wise than the fool forever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
- Then I said in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me and why then was I more wise? Then I said in my heart that this is also vanity.
- 1611, “Ecclesiastes 2:15-16”, in The King James Bible:
- Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own abilities, appearance or achievements.
- A dressing table used to apply makeup, preen, and coif hair. The table is normally quite low and similar to a desk, with drawers and one or more mirrors atop. Either a chair or bench is used to sit upon.
- Emptiness.
- (obsolete) Any idea, theory or statement that is without foundation.
- It is a vanity to say that if two stones are dropped from a tower, the heavier will experience the greater acceleration.
[edit] Synonyms
- conceit
- egotism
- narcissism
- pride
- See also Wikisaurus:arrogance
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Translations
excessive pride
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dressing table
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[edit] External links
- vanity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- vanity in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
