| 释义 |
vainness|ˈveɪnnɪs|
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
The state or condition of being vain, in various senses: a. Futility, ineffectiveness, uselessness.
1571Golding Calvin on Ps. xxxiii. 18 The helps of the world hold our senses entangled..till they have given us a tryall of theyr vaynenesse. 1600Palfreyman Baldwin's Mor. Philos. 37 The vainenes of this life is greater then the profit. 1648W. Browne Polexena v. i. 284, I knew the vainnesse of my hopes, and the just cause Alcidiana had to punish my boldnesse. 1719D'Urfey Pills (1872) IV. 303 Beauty..shew'd the vainess of Defence, When Phillis does Invade. 1849Robertson Serm. Ser. i. xix. (1866) 314 Pilate, feeling the vainness..of these pretensions. 1892Athenæum 18 June 790/1 The vainness of this and that creed.
b. Vanity, esp. personal vanity or conceit. Now rare.
a1586Sidney Ps. xxvi. iii, I did not them frequent, Who be to vainesse bent. 1599Shakes. Hen. V, v. Prol. 20 Free from vain-nesse, and selfe-glorious pride. 1600Palfreyman Baldwin's Mor. Philos. i. 12 Hee despised..much all vainnesse of apparell. 1645Wither Vox Pacifica 19 The vices, and the vainnesse of thy tongue. 1825Coleridge Lett., Convers., etc. II. 179 Mr. Chance is a self-satisfied man, but of the very..best sort... I regard such vainness but as the overflow of humanity.
†c. Foolishness, stupidity. Obs.—1
1591Spenser Vis. Worlds Vanitie vi, O how great vainnesse is it then to scorne The weake. |