vanities

1 definition found

vanities - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Vanity \Van"i*ty\, n.; pl. Vanities. [OE. vanite, F.
     vanit['e], L. vanitas, fr. vanus empty, vain. See Vain.]
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     1. The quality or state of being vain; want of substance to
        satisfy desire; emptiness; unsubstantialness; unrealness;
        falsity.
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              Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of
              vanities; all is vanity.              --Eccl. i. 2.
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              Here I may well show the vanity of that which is
              reported in the story of Walsingham.  --Sir J.
                                                    Davies.
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     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.
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              The exquisitely sensitive vanity of Garrick was
              galled.                               --Macaulay.
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     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.
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              Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher. --Eccl. i.
                                                    2.
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              Vanity possesseth many who are desirous to know the
              certainty of things to come.          --Sir P.
                                                    Sidney.
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              [Sin] with vanity had filled the works of men.
                                                    --Milton.
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              Think not, when woman's transient breath is fled,
              That all her vanities at once are dead;
              Succeeding vanities she still regards. --Pope.
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     4. One of the established characters in the old moralities
        and puppet shows. See Morality, n., 5.
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              You . . . take vanity the puppet's part. --Shak.
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     5. same as dressing table.
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     6. A cabinet built around a bathroom sink, usually with a
        countertop and sometimes drawers.
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     Syn: Egotism; pride; emptiness; worthlessness;
          self-sufficiency. See Egotism, and Pride.
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