Meaning and Origin
What does the name Vanity mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Vanity
User Submitted Origins
English
70%
French
10%
Hindi
10%
Latin
10%
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Van"i*ty
Senses
- 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.]
- 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.]
- 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.]
- One of the established characters in the old moralities and puppet shows. See Morality (n.), 5."You . . . take vanity the puppet's part." [Shak.]
- same as dressing table.
- A cabinet built around a bathroom sink, usually with a countertop and sometimes drawers.synonyms: Egotism; pride; emptiness; worthlessness; self-sufficiency. See Egotism, and Pride.
Etymology: OE. vanite, F. vanité, L. vanitas, fr. vanus empty, vain. See Vain
Other Dictionary Sources
- Low table with mirror or mirrors where one sits while dressing or applying makeup
- The trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride
- The quality of being valueless or futile
- Feelings of excessive pride
Wiktionary
From Middle English vanite, borrowed from Old French vanité, from Latin vānitas, from vānus, whence English vain.
- That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value, use or profit.
- 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 on top. Either a chair or bench is used to sit upon.
- A washbasin installed into a permanently fixed storage unit, used as an item of bathroom furniture.
- Emptiness.
- (obsolete) Any idea, theory or statement that is without foundation.
- It is a to say that if two stones are dropped from a tower, the heavier will experience the greater acceleration.