Get Affordable VMs - excellent virtual server hosting


browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

vanitiesmore about vanities

vanities

 

  1  definition  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}.




more about vanities