Vain , n. Vanity; emptiness; -- now used only in the phrase
in vain.
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.
Vain (?), a.
[Compar. Vainer (?); superl.
Vainest.]
[F. vain, L. vanus empty, void, vain. Cf. Vanish, Vanity, Vaunt to boast.]
1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying. "Thy vain excuse." Shak.
Every man walketh in a vain
show.
Ps. xxxix. 6.
Let no man deceive you with vain words.
Eph. v. 6. Vain pomp, and glory of
this world, I hate ye!
Shak. Vain visdom all, and false philosophy.
Milton.
2. Destitute of forge or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt.
Bring no more
vain oblations.
Isa. i. 13. Vain is the
force of man
To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.
Dryden. 3. Proud
of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having
a high opinion of one's own
accomplishments with slight
reason; conceited;
puffed up; inflated.
But wilt thou
know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?
James
ii. 20 (Rev. Ver.). The
minstrels played on every side,
Vain of their art.
Dryden.
4. Showy; ostentatious.
Load some vain church with old theatric state.
Pope. Syn.
-- Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal; shadowy; showy; ostentatious; light; inconstant; deceitful; delusive;
unimportant; trifling.
Hear it pronounced