VAIN, a. [L. vanus; Eng. wan, wane, want.] 1. Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance. 1Peter 1.To your vain answer will you have recourse.Every man walketh in a vain show. Ps. 39.Why do the people imagine a vain thing? Ps. 2.2. Fruitless; ineffectual. All attempts, all efforts were vain.Vain is the force of man.3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; elated with a high opinion of one's own accomplishments, or with things more showy than valuable; conceited.The minstrels play'd on every side, vain of their art -4. Empty; unreal; as a vain chimers.5. Showy; ostentatious.Load some vain church with old theatric state.6. Light; inconstant; worthless. Prov. 12.7. Empty; unsatisfying. The pleasures of life are vain.8. False; deceitful; not genuine; spurious. James 1.9. Not effectual; having no efficacyBring no more vain oblations. Is. 1.In vain, to no purpose; without effect; ineffectual.In vain they do worship me. Matt. 15.To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God with levity or profaneness.
|