vanities

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.The quality or state of being vain; want of substance to satisfy desire; emptiness; unsubstantialness; unrealness; falsity. [1913 Webster]

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.— Eccl. i. 2.[1913 Webster]

Here I may well show the vanity of that which is reported in the story of Walsingham.— Sir J. Davies.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

The exquisitely sensitive vanity of Garrick was galled.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher.— Eccl. i. 2.[1913 Webster]

Vanity possesseth many who are desirous to know the certainty of things to come.— Sir P. Sidney.[1913 Webster]

[Sin] with vanity had filled the works of men.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

Think not, when woman's transient breath is fled, That all her vanities at once are dead; Succeeding vanities she still regards.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

4.One of the established characters in the old moralities and puppet shows. See Morality, n., 5. [1913 Webster]

You . . . take vanity the puppet's part.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

5.same as dressing table. [PJC]

6.A cabinet built around a bathroom sink, usually with a countertop and sometimes drawers. [PJC]

Syn: Egotism; pride; emptiness; worthlessness; self-sufficiency. See Egotism, and Pride. [1913 Webster]