Every man walketh in a vain show. --Ps. xxxix.
6.
Let no man deceive you with vain words. --Eph. v. 6.
Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye!
--Shak.
Vain visdom all, and false philosophy. --Milton.
2. Destitute of forge or efficacy; effecting no purpose;
fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt.
Bring no more vain oblations. --Isa. i. 13.
Vain is the force of man To crush the pillars which
the pile sustain. --Dryden.
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.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart
from works is barren? --James ii. 20
(Rev. Ver.).
The minstrels played on every side, Vain of their
art. --Dryden.
4. Showy; ostentatious.
Load some vain church with old theatric state.
--Pope.
Syn: Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal;
shadowy; showy; ostentatious; light; inconstant;
deceitful; delusive; unimportant; trifling.
{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.