3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Vanity  \Van"i*ty\,  n.;  pl  {Vanities}.  [OE.  vanite,  vanit['e], 
  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}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  vanity 
  n  1:  feelings  of  excessive  pride  [syn:  {amour  propre},  {conceit}, 
  {self-love}] 
  2:  the  quality  of  being  valueless  or  futile;  "he  rejected  the 
  vanities  of  the  world"  [syn:  {emptiness}] 
  3:  the  trait  of  being  vain  and  conceited  [syn:  {conceit}] 
  4:  low  table  with  mirror  or  mirrors  where  one  sits  while 
  dressing  or  applying  makeup  [syn:  {dressing  table},  {toilet 
  table}] 
 
  From  THE  DEVIL'S  DICTIONARY  ((C)1911  Released  April  15  1993)  [devils]: 
 
  VANITY,  n.  The  tribute  of  a  fool  to  the  worth  of  the  nearest  ass. 
 
  They  say  that  hens  do  cackle  loudest  when 
  There's  nothing  vital  in  the  eggs  they've  laid; 
  And  there  are  hens,  professing  to  have  made 
  A  study  of  mankind,  who  say  that  men 
  Whose  business  'tis  to  drive  the  tongue  or  pen 
  Make  the  most  clamorous  fanfaronade 
  O'er  their  most  worthless  work  and  I'm  afraid 
  They're  not  entirely  different  from  the  hen. 
  Lo!  the  drum-major  in  his  coat  of  gold, 
  His  blazing  breeches  and  high-towering  cap  -- 
  Imperiously  pompous,  grandly  bold, 
  Grim,  resolute,  an  awe-inspiring  chap! 
  Who'd  think  this  gorgeous  creature's  only  virtue 
  Is  that  in  battle  he  will  never  hurt  you? 
  Hannibal  Hunsiker 
 
 

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