in vain

2 definitions found

in vain - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Vain \Vain\, n.
     Vanity; emptiness; -- now used only in the phrase
  
     in vain.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     For vain. See In vain. [Obs.] --Shak.
  
     In vain, to no purpose; without effect; ineffectually. " In
        vain doth valor bleed." --Milton. " In vain they do
        worship me." --Matt. xv. 9.
  
     To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God
        with levity or profaneness.
        [1913 Webster]

in vain - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  in vain
      adv 1: to no avail; "he looked for her in vain"; "the city
             fathers tried vainly to find a solution" [syn: vainly,
             in vain]