Van·i·ty n.; pl. Vanities
 1. 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.
 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.
    The exquisitely sensitive vanity of Garrick was galled.   --Macaulay.
 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.
    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.
 4. One of the established characters in the old moralities and puppet shows. See Morality, n., 5.
    You . . . take vanity the puppet's part.   --Shak.
 Syn: -- Egotism; pride; emptiness; worthlessness; self-sufficiency. See Egotism, and Pride.
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