Vanity
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈvæ.nɪ.ti/
Origin
From Middle English vanite, from Old French vanité, from Latin vanitas, from Latin vanus, whence English vain.
Full definition of vanity
Noun
vanity
(plural vanities)- That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value, use or profit.
- 1611, The King James Bible Chapter S:Bible (King James)/Ecclesiastes, Then I said in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me and why then was I more wise? Then I said in my heart that this is also vanity.
For there is no more remembrance of the wise than the fool forever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
- Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own abilities, appearance or achievements.
- A dressing table used to apply makeup, preen, and coif hair. The table is normally quite low and similar to a desk, with drawers and one or more mirrors atop. Either a chair or bench is used to sit upon.
- Emptiness.
- (obsolete) Any idea, theory or statement that is without foundation.
- It is a vanity to say that if two stones are dropped from a tower, the heavier will experience the greater acceleration.
- Francis BaconTo help the matter, the alchemists call in many vanities out of astrology.