vanity

Noun

Synonyms: amour propre conceit self-love emptiness conceitedness dressing table dresser toilet table

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

feelings of excessive prideSynonyms: amour propre conceit self-love
the quality of being valueless or futile“he rejected the vanities of the world”Synonyms: emptiness
the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false prideSynonyms: conceit conceitedness
low table with mirror or mirrors where one sits while dressing or applying makeupSynonyms: dressing table dresser toilet table

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Vanity \Van"i*ty\, n.; pl. Vanities. [OE. vanite, F. vanit['e], L. vanitas, fr. vanus empty, vain. See Vain.] [1913 Webster]

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]

Dressing table \Dressing table\, n. a table, usually having a vertical back piece containing a mirror, at which a person may sit while dressing or applying makeup, and on which articles for the toilet stand. It often has drawers for toiletries, clothing, or accessories. It is also called a vanity or vanity table. [PJC]

The Devil's Dictionary

VANITY, n. The tribute of a fool to the worth of the nearest ass.

They say that hens do cackle loudest when There's nothing vital in the eggs they've laid; And there are hens, professing to have made A study of mankind, who say that men Whose business 'tis to drive the tongue or pen Make the most clamorous fanfaronade O'er their most worthless work; and I'm afraid They're not entirely different from the hen. Lo! the drum-major in his coat of gold, His blazing breeches and high-towering cap -- Imperiously pompous, grandly bold, Grim, resolute, an awe-inspiring chap! Who'd think this gorgeous creature's only virtue Is that in battle he will never hurt you? Hannibal Hunsiker