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