Webster's English Dictionary

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vain

Cross references:
  1. futile                 2. proud                 
 
vain \'va-n\ \'va-n-n*s\ aj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L vanus empty, vain - more at 
   WANE] 1: having no real value : IDLE, WORTHLESS  2: FRUITLESS, UNSUCCESSFUL 
    3: FOOLISH, SILLY  4: having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's 
   appearance or achie vements : CONCEITEMHOLLOW mean being without worth or 
   significance. VAIN implies either absolute or relative absence of value; 
   NUGATORY suggests triviality or inoperativeness; OTIOSE suggests a lack of 
   excuse for being as serving no purpose and being an encumbrance or 
   superfluity; IDLE suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect; 
   EMPTY and HOLLOW suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or 
   genuineness 1: to no end : without success or result  2: in an irreverent 
   or blasphemous manner  - vain.ly av SYN syn VAIN, NUGATORY, OTIOSE, IDLE, 
   EMPTY, (