For vain

For vain
Vain Vain, 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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • for vain — (Shakespeare) In vain, vainly • • • Main Entry: ↑vain …   Useful english dictionary

  • Vain (band) — Vain are a glam metal band formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1986, at the last wave of the Glam Metal era, and in a time when the city s main musical export was thrash metal slowly changing to Punk. The band were formed by vocalist Davy… …   Wikipedia

  • Vain — Vain, 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.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vain — 1 Vain, nugatory, otiose, idle, empty, hollow are comparable when they mean devoid of worth or significance. Something vain (see also FUTILE) is devoid of all value, either absolutely because worthless, superfluous, or unprofitable or relatively… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • vain — [veın] adj [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: Latin vanus empty, vain ] 1.) someone who is vain is too proud of their good looks, abilities, or position used to show disapproval = ↑conceited ▪ Men can be just as vain as women. see usage note …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • vain — [ veın ] adjective * 1. ) someone who is vain is very proud and thinks they are very attractive or special: CONCEITED: He was vain about his looks, spending hours in the gym. 2. ) unsuccessful or useless: a vain attempt/bid/effort: They made a… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • vain — [vān] adj. [OFr < L vanus, empty, vain: see WANT] 1. having no real value or significance; worthless, empty, idle, hollow, etc. [vain pomp] 2. without force or effect; futile, fruitless, unprofitable, unavailing, etc. [a vain endeavor] 3.… …   English World dictionary

  • for nothing — for no reason, in vain, futilely …   English contemporary dictionary

  • vain — 01. She is a very [vain] woman who is more concerned about her appearance than anything else. 02. We worked all night in an attempt to finish on time, but it was all in [vain]. 03. I bought my ex girlfriend a huge bouquet of flowers in a [vain]… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • vain — [[t]ve͟ɪn[/t]] vainer, vainest 1) ADJ: ADJ n A vain attempt or action is one that fails to achieve what was intended. The drafting committee worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule... I was singing in a vain effort to… …   English dictionary

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