Vanities

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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