vain

vain: vain [vān]

adj.

[OFr < L vanus, empty, vain: see WANT]

1. having no real value or significance; worthless, empty, idle, hollow, etc. [vain pomp]

2. without force or effect; futile, fruitless, unprofitable, unavailing, etc. [a vain endeavor]

3. having or showing an excessively high regard for one's self, looks, possessions, ability, etc.; indulging in or resulting from personal vanity; conceited

4. Archaic lacking in sense; foolish

SYN.- FUTILE

——————

in vain

1. fruitlessly; vainly

2. lightly; profanely; irreverently

vainness

n.

SYN.- VAIN, in this connection, applies to that which has little or no real value, worth, or meaning [vain studies ]; IDLE refers to that which is baseless or worthless because it can never be realized [idle hopes, idle talk ]; EMPTY and HOLLOW are used of that which only appears to be genuine, sincere, worthwhile, etc. [empty threats, hollow pleasures ]; OTIOSE applies to that which has no real purpose or function and is therefore useless or superfluous [otiose remarks ]

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vain — vain … Dictionnaire des rimes
vain — vain, vaine [ vɛ̃, vɛn ] adj. • déb. XIIe; lat. vanus 1 ♦ Vx Vide. « De vains tombeaux » (P. Corneille) :des cénotaphes. Mod. Vaine pâture. 2 ♦ Vieilli Qui est sans consistance, sans réalité. ⇒ irréel. « Nous sommes abusés par de vaines images »… … Encyclopédie Universelle
vain — vain, aine (vin, vè n ) adj. 1° Proprement, vide, ce qui est le sens étymologique conservé seulement dans les locutions suivantes : vaine pâture, terres où il n y a ni semences, ni fruits, et, par suite, où tous les habitants d une commune… … Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré
Vain — Vain, a. [Compar. {Vainer}; superl. {Vainest}.] [F. vain, L. vanus empty, void, vain. Cf. {Vanish}, {Vanity}, {Vaunt} to boast.] [1913 Webster] 1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying. Thy vain… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
vain — VAIN, [v]aine. adj. Inutile, Qui ne produit rien. Faire de vains efforts. toutes ses sollicitations ont esté vaines. On appelle, Terres vaines & vagues, Des terres inutiles, incultes, qui ne produisent rien, & qui ne sont reclamées de personne.… … Dictionnaire de l'Académie française
vain — [veın] adj [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: Latin vanus empty, vain ] 1.) someone who is vain is too proud of their good looks, abilities, or position used to show disapproval = ↑conceited ▪ Men can be just as vain as women. see usage note … Dictionary of contemporary English
vain — [ veın ] adjective * 1. ) someone who is vain is very proud and thinks they are very attractive or special: CONCEITED: He was vain about his looks, spending hours in the gym. 2. ) unsuccessful or useless: a vain attempt/bid/effort: They made a… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Vain — Vain, n. Vanity; emptiness; now used only in the phrase in vain. [1913 Webster] {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.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Vain — Datos generales Nacimiento 1986 Origen San Francisco … Wikipedia Español
vain (en) — ⇒VAIN (EN), loc. adv. A. Sans résultat, sans utilité, pour rien. Synon. inutilement. C est en vain que vous prétendez soumettre les gouvernements à la volonté générale. Ce sont toujours eux qui dictent cette volonté, et toutes les précautions… … Encyclopédie Universelle

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