*vain*

{ n. Also }. [ Stove (a translation of the name of the discoverer, Fourneau + -in, -ine. ] (Pharm.) A substance, C14H22O2NCl, the hydrochloride of an amino compound containing benzol, used, in solution with strychnine, as a local anaesthetic, esp. by injection into the sheath of the spinal cord, producing anaesthesia below the point of introduction. Called also amylocaine hydrochloride. Chemically it is the hydrochloride of the benzoyl ester of 1-(dimethylaminomethyl)-1-methyl propanol. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ Compar. Vainer superl. Vainest. ] [ F. vain, L. vanus empty, void, vain. Cf. Vanish, Vanity, Vaunt to boast. ] 1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying. “Thy vain excuse.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every man walketh in a vain show. Ps. xxxix. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let no man deceive you with vain words. Eph. v. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Destitute of force or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bring no more vain oblations. Isa. i. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vain is the force of man
To crush the pillars which the pile sustain. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated. [ 1913 Webster ]

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? James ii. 20 (Rev. Ver.). [ 1913 Webster ]

The minstrels played on every side,
Vain of their art. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Showy; ostentatious. [ 1913 Webster ]

Load some vain church with old theatric state. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal; shadowy; showy; ostentatious; light; inconstant; deceitful; delusive; unimportant; trifling. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. xv. 9. --
To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God with levity or profaneness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Feeling or indicating vainglory; elated by vanity; boastful. “Arrogant and vainglorious expression.” Sir M. Hale. -- Vain`glo"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Vain`glo"ri*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Vain + glory. ] Excessive vanity excited by one's own performances; empty pride; undue elation of mind; vain show; boastfulness. [ 1913 Webster ]

He had nothing of vainglory. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

The man's undone forever; for if Hector break not his neck i' the combat, he'll break't himself in vainglory. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a vain manner; in vain. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being vain. [ 1913 Webster ]