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.
© Webster 1913.