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vanity |
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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