vainadj.n.

Brit.

/veɪn/, U.S.

/veɪn/

Forms: α. Middle English vayn (Middle English–1500s Scottish, wayn), Middle English–1500s vayne (Middle English–1500s wayne), Middle English–1700s vaine (Middle English Scottish waine), Middle English, 1500s– vain (Middle English wain). β. Middle English vein, veen, veine; Middle English veyn (Middle English ueyn, weyn), veyne (Middle English veyyne, feyne, Scottish weyne). γ. Middle English wan, Middle English, 1500s Scottish, wane, Middle English–1500s Scottish vane (1500s uane).

Etymology: < Old French vein, veyn, vain (French vain) < Latin vānus empty, void, idle, etc. (whence also Italian vano, Spanish vano, Portuguese vão).

A. adj.

a. Devoid of real value, worth, or significance; idle, unprofitable, useless, worthless; of no effect, force, or power; fruitless, futile, unavailing.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > worthless

naughteOE

unworthc960

nought worthOE

unworthya1240

vaina1300

lewd1362

base?1510

to be nothing toc1520

stark naught1528

nothing worth1535

worthilessa1542

draffish1543

baggage1548

dunghill?1555

valureless1563

toyish1572

worthless1573

out (forth) of door (also doors)1574

leaden1577

riff-raff1577

drafty1582

fecklessc1586

dudgeon?1589

nought-worth1589

tenpenny1592

wanwordy?a1595

shotten herring1598

nugatory1603

unvalued1604

priceless1614

unvaluable1615

valuelessa1616

waste1616

trashya1620

draffy1624

stramineous1624

invaluable1640

roly-poly?1645

nugatorious1646

perquisquilian1647

niffling1649

lazy1671

wanworth1724

little wortha1754

flimsy1756

waff1788

null1790

nothingy1801

nothingly1802

twopenny-halfpenny1809

not worth a flaw1810

garbage1817

peanut1836

duffing1839

trash1843

no-account1845

no-count1851

punky1859

rummagy1872

junky1880

skilligalee1883

footle1894

punk1896

wherry-go-nimble1901

junk1908

rinky-dink1913

schlock1916

tripe1927

duff1938

chickenshit1940

sheg-up1941

expendable1942

(strictly) for the birds1943

tripey1955

schlocky1960

naff1964

dipshit1968

cack1978

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [adjective]

idlec825

unnuteOE

bricklec1225

tooma1250

unnaita1250

vaina1300

waste1303

overvoida1382

voida1382

superfluec1384

daylessa1387

unbehovely1390

unprofitablea1398

unbehoveful1429

wastefulc1450

idleful1483

fruster1488

vainful1509

frustrate?a1513

superfluousa1533

addle1534

lost1535

fittle1552

futilea1575

nugatory1605

futilous1607

shiftless1613

tympanous1625

emptya1628

frustraneousa1643

pointless1673

futilitous1765

otiose1795

stultificatory1931

α.

a1300 Cursor Mundi 28332 Quen idel thoght me come and vain, Wit will i stode þam noght again.

c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 3 Na thynge..sa..dos awaye coryous and vayne ocupacyons fra vs.

1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 135 Witeþ al..men þat the power of kynges is vayne.

c1450 Mirk's Festial 64 To put away all maner worldes vanyte, and vayn murthe, and reuell.

1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope i. v For the loue of a vayn thynge men ought not to leue that whiche is certeyn.

1544 R. Tracy Supplycacion to Kynge Henry VIII sig. Aiij^v Such wayne vngodly and vnprofitable lerninge.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cij^v Many woulde iudge that promesse to be vayne.

1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. xiii. §8. 439 After which victorie it is said, that he [sc. Iephta] performed the vaine vow, which hee made.

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. iii. §6 Certainly God..will never alter the course of nature, meerly for satisfaction of mens vain curiosities.

1713 R. Steele Englishman No. 7 Without a natural Talent, all the Acquirements of Learning are vain.

1759 R. Jackson Hist. Rev. Pennsylvania 375 The Remainder of that Day..was wasted in a vain Discussion.

1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 127 It was vain for him to attempt any explanation.

a1853 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1866) 3rd Ser. xiv. 178 In vain regrets for the past, in vainer resolves for the future.

1872 J. Ruskin Eagle's Nest §177 All literature, art, and science are vain, and worse, if they do not enable you to be glad.

β. 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 5350 Y rede þou ȝelde hyt aȝen, Þy saluacyun ys elles alle veyn.1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. Prol. 11 The vein honour was noght desired, Which hath the proude herte fyred.1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 1291 Thanne me sempte yt was but veyn, Mor for me to speke ageyn.a1450 Mankind 846 in Macro Plays 32 Beware of weyn confidens of mercy.a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 382 Dremys..ben thingis weyn, of non affek.γ. a1450 Mankind 533 in Macro Plays 20 He xall wene grace were wane.a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 160 Wirk for the ioy that lestis evir, For vder ioy is all bot vane.1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 105 That rathir thay appeir nocht to be spokne of a vane ostentatione, than of the veritie.

†b. Of material things: useless, worthless. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > [adjective]

leera1250

unprofitablea1398

noughtc1400

inutile1484

unutilea1500

vain1578

useless1593

unuseful1604

serviceless1608

aidless1674

unproductive1713

good-for-nothing1727

nowt1790

invaluable1803

stupid1844

dud1904

puckerooed1919

1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 384 Cyclaminus altera hath an unprofitable and vaine roote.

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. ii. sig. C^v Most wretched men, whose dayes depend on thrids so vaine .

1772 W. Jones Poems 24 His spear, vain instrument of dying praise.

c. Trivial, unimportant. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > of little importance or trivial

eathlyc890

lighteOE

littleOE

small?c1225

singlec1449

easy1474

triflous1509

naughty1526

slender1530

slight1548

shrimpish1549

slipper1567

truanta1572

toyous1581

trivious1583

mean1585

silly1587

nicea1594

puny?1594

puisne1598

pusill1599

whindling1601

sapless1602

non-significant1603

poor1603

unsignificant1603

flea-bite1605

perishing1605

lank1607

weightless1610

fonda1616

penny farthing1615

triviala1616

unweighty1621

transitory1637

twattling1651

inconsiderate1655

unserious1655

nugal1656

small drink1656

slighty1662

minute1668

paddling1679

snitling1682

retail1697

Lilliputian1726

vain1731

rattletrap1760

peppercornish1762

peppercorn1791

underling1804

venial1806

lightweight1809

floccinaucical1826

small-bore1833

minified1837

trantlum1838

piffling1848

tea-tabular1855

potty1860

whipping-snapping1861

tea-gardeny1862

quiddling1863

twaddling1863

fidgeting1865

penny ante1865

feather-weighted1870

jerkwater1877

midget1879

mimsy1880

shirttail1881

two-by-four1885

footle1894

skittery1905

footery1929

Mickey Mouse1931

chickenshit1934

minoritized1945

marginal1952

marginalized1961

tea-party1961

little league1962

marginalizing1977

minnowy1991

1731 A. Pope Epist. to Earl of Burlington 13 Imitating Fools, Who..Load some vain Church with old Theatric State; Turn Arcs of Triumph to a Garden-gate.

†2. Empty, vacant, void. Also const. of. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > [adjective] > empty

idlec825

toomOE

lankc1000

emptyOE

leera1250

i-lerc1275

vain1382

void1390

bare1399

vacanta1400

i-voidec1415

hollow1600

vake1600

clear1607

inane1662

blank1748

viduous1855

unchargeda1861

1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. i. 2 The erthe forsothe was veyn with~ynne and void.

c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) iv. xxix. 62 Alle folke the alouteth and abeyeth, and thou arte veyne, and voyde of al maner of vertue.

1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Prol. 19 With dull forhede and wane, With ruide engine and barrand emptive brane.

1544 Exhort. vnto Prayer sig. A.viii Outwardly shewing a great pretence of holynes, and being vayne of true godlynes inwardly.

a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. P. Calderon Scenes from Magico Prodigioso in Posthumous Poems (1824) 391 Such melancholy..is Skilful in forming such in the vain air Out of the motes and atoms of the day.]

3. Of persons: devoid of sense or wisdom; foolish, silly, thoughtless; of an idle or futile nature or disposition. Now rare or Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > foolishness, folly > giddiness, empty-headedness > [adjective]

idlec825

giddyc1000

volage?a1366

apec1370

foolisha1382

vain1390

idleful1483

volageous1487

glaikit1488

cock-brained1530

apish1532

empty1550

sillyc1555

frivolous?1563

tickle-headed1583

light-braineda1593

frothy1593

owlish1596

bird-witted1605

empty-headed1614

idle-headed1614

empty-pateda1628

marmosetical1630

grollish1637

feather-headed1647

nonsense1647

whirl-crowned1648

feather-brained1649

swimmering1650

soft-pated1651

weather-headeda1652

shuttlecock1660

drum-headed1664

chicken-brained1678

halokit1724

desipient1727

shatter-pated1727

scattered-brained1747

light-thoughted1777

scatter-brained1804

shandy-pated1806

hellicat1815

feather-pated1819

inane1819

weather-brained1826

bubble-headed1827

tomfoolish1838

bird-brained1892

tottle1894

fluffy1898

scatty1911

wandery1912

scattery1924

twitterpated1943

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 217 Wherof he wax so proud and vein, That he his fader in desdeign Hath take.

c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi i. vii. 8 He is veyne þat puttiþ his hope in men or in creatures.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) James ii. C Wilt thou vnderstonde o thou vayne man that faith with out dedes is deed?

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4384 At Vaxor þe vayn pepull voidly honourit Bachian.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 106 Diuerse vaine persons bruted dayly among the Commons of the realme, that Christ had twise apered vnto him.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. ii. 186 This I thinke, there's no man is so vaine, That would refuse so faire an offer'd Chaine.

a1631 J. Donne Woman's Constancy in Poems Vaine lunatique, against these scapes I could Dispute, and conquer, if I would.

1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1687) xx. 210 If it..would make you a medler in other mens matters (as most of our vain Believers are).

1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 754 [Art not] thou at best, and in thy sob'rest mood, A trifler vain ?

1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms i. 587 Hush! hush! thou vain dreamer! this hour is her last.

1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci v. iii. 93 So that our hair should sweep The footsteps of the vain and senseless crowd.

absolute.c1450 [see sense B. 1]. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 242 Is sparkling wit..The fixt fee-simple of the vain and light?1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna ix. xiv. 200 The peace of slavery, With which old times..had quelled the vain and free.

a. Given to or indulging in personal vanity; having an excessively high opinion of one's own appearance, attainments, qualities, possessions, etc.; delighting in, or desirous of attracting, the admiration of others; conceited. Also absol.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > vanity > [adjective]

self-liking1580

self-loved1590

self-admiring1592

self-loving1593

self-liked1599

glass-gazing1608

coxcombly1610

self-admired1621

coxcombical1649

self-idolizing1649

vain1692

flashy1693

vaunty1724

coxcombic1730

self-idolized1766

narcissine1805

foofaraw1848

vanitous1900

narcissistic1915

narcistic1918

dicty1920

narcissist1934

1692 J. Dryden Eleonora 7 For to be consc'ious of what all admire, And not be vain, advances Vertue high'r.

1703 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) V. 531 She..I believe carryed with her out of this vaine nation above 1000 pounds.

1763 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting III. i. 32 Perceiving the poor man to be immoderately vain, he piqued him to attempt portraits.

1832 E. Bulwer-Lytton Eugene Aram I. i. x. 171 It might teach the vainest to forswear vanity.

1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. x. 609 The vain man, restless, insatiable, and always craving after the admiration of his contemporaries.

1884 F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer (ed. 2) I. 18 The heart of the vain man is lighter than the heart of the proud.

in extended use.1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 230 The vainest corner of our own vain heart.

b. Const. of.

ΚΠ

1697 K. Chetwood Pref. to Pastorals in J. Dryden tr. Virgil Wks. sig. *****2 We deserve more compassion, because we are not vain of our Barbarities.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. viii. 46 A good, honest, plain Girl, and not vain of her Face.

1829 E. Bulwer-Lytton Devereux I. i. i. 5 Between you and me, he was not a little vain of his leg.

1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxiv. 206 The General..sate down to pen a poulet (he was exceedingly vain of his French) to Mademoiselle Aménaide.

B. n.

†1. Vanity; a vain thing. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > insubstantial

triflec1290

vainc1330

winda1382

vapour1382

gossamer?a1400

visevase1481

good morrow1542

cobweb1579

superficial1579

puff1583

bladder1589

blathery1591

froth1594

bag of winda1599

moth1600

nominala1625

tumour1630

windlestraw1637

vacuity1648

balloon1656

blank1678

breath bubble1835

nominality1842

fluff1906

cotton candy1931

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [noun] > that which is

idlec1000

vanityc1230

vainc1330

futility1667

c1330 King of Tars 71 I schal him seende such wordes to seyn, That al his thought schal torne to veyn.

c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi i. xx. 26 Leeue veyn [L. vana] to þe veyn, & take þou hede to þo þinges þat god comaundiþ þe.

1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 74 All the World proclaiming Vain of Vains, Mans happinesse in Gods true Fear maintains.

1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. lii. sig. R6 The power of the Gospel, in crying downe the vaines of men.

1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the Third 20 The Fruits of dying Friends survey; Expose the Vain of Life; Weigh Life and Death.

†2. Emptiness, void space. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > [noun] > absolute emptiness of space

vaina1382

emptiness1533

empty1535

vacuity1546

vacuum1550

vacancy1603

voida1618

inanea1676

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Job xxvi. 7 He that streccheth out the north vp on vein [L. super vacuum], and hangeth vp the erthe vp on noȝt.

1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure 105 Wythouten vayne he dyd all thyng fulfyll As astronomy doth make apparaunce.

Phrases

P1.

a. In the adverbial phr. in vain adv. to no effect or purpose; ineffectually, uselessly, vainly.After Latin in vanum, or Old French en vein (French en vain, = Italian in vano, Spanish en vano, Portuguese em vão).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > in vain [phrase]

in (or on) idlenessc825

in (earlier on, an) idlec1000

in idleshipa1250

in vaina1300

over tomeheda1300

(all) for noughtc1300

in waste1340

in deveyn(ec1400

to little availc1450

without availc1450

in fruster1488

to good (also great, some, little, no, etc.) purpose1525

for nothing1560

sans fail1597

for vaina1616

α.

a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xx. 1 That..he spend noght his preciouse blode in vayn on vs.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16172 Of him he wend ha signes sene, For noght, al was in vain.

1422 J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 198 Thar Prayer was not in wayne.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 151 The more thai bad the mor it was in wayne.

1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iv. 48 Bot þat trawaill þai maid in wayne.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job ii. 3 Yet is it in vayne, for he contynueth still in his godlynesse.

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xvii. 20 All was in vain, for there was no remedy but to obey.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xviii. 89 It is therefore in vain to grant Soveraignty by way of precedent Covenant.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 108 Nor Bits nor Bridles can his Rage restrain; And rugged Rocks are interpos'd in vain .

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 1. ¶7 The secret Satisfaction of thinking that I have not Lived in vain.

1752 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 157 In vain do you seek repose from beds of roses.

1836 W. Irving Astoria II. 227 Here he endeavoured in vain to barter a rifle for a horse.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 623 He wrote piteous letters to the king and to several courtiers, but in vain.

1864 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire iii. 31 Lewis tried in vain to satisfy his sons by dividing and redividing.

β. 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 10252 Alle here trauayle þey do yn veyn.c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Dido. 1359 For wel I wot that it is al in veyn.c1420 Chron. Vilod. 4173 He..sayde, ‘nowe haue y trauellede twey [= twice] in feyne’.c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 65 Ye schal nat labour al in veyne, Ye shul have hevene.a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 524 The king..al this resone thinkith bot in weyne.γ. a1300 Cursur M. (Edinb.) 19411 Al þaire striue was bot in wan.c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 518 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 44 Ȝet wald nocht god his prayer war in wane.1483 Cath. Angl. 197/1 In vane, frustra.a1505 R. Henryson Orpheus & Eurydice l. 148 in Poems (1981) 136 Him to reios ȝit playit he a spryng,..Bot all in wane, thai comfort him no thing.1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 13 Thay that sweris in uane and thay that sweris ony fals aith.1573 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxix. 140 For lake of lederis thair thay wrocht in uane.a1600 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xviii. 37 Vhen they sau they wroght in vane.

†b. So for vain. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > in vain [phrase]

in (or on) idlenessc825

in (earlier on, an) idlec1000

in idleshipa1250

in vaina1300

over tomeheda1300

(all) for noughtc1300

in waste1340

in deveyn(ec1400

to little availc1450

without availc1450

in fruster1488

to good (also great, some, little, no, etc.) purpose1525

for nothing1560

sans fail1597

for vaina1616

a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. iv. 12 My Grauitie Wherein..I take pride, Could I, with boote, change for an idle plume Which the ayre beats for vaine .

P2. to take in vain.

†a. To disregard, to treat with contempt. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)] > treat with contempt

unworthc950

to make scorn at, toc1320

to take in vainc1330

despise1377

rebuke?a1400

despite1481

indign1490

to make a mumming of1523

flock1545

scandalize1566

to make coarse account of1578

misregard1582

overpeer1583

to make a pish at (also of)1593

to make a push at1600

to bite by the nose1602

blurta1625

to piss ona1625

to make wash-way of, with1642

trample1646

huff1677

snouch1761

to walk over (the course)1779

to run over ——1816

snoot1928

shaft1959

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 16271 Osewy tok þy somons in veyn, To come to court he hadde disdeyn.

a1400 Coer de L. 3769 Kyng Phelyp took theroff non hede, But layde thertoo a deff ear... Kyng Richardys words he took in vain.

b. With name as object. To use or utter (the name of God) lightly, needlessly, or profanely; transferred to mention or speak of casually or idly.A literal rendering of assumere (nomen Dei) in vanum in the Vulgate text of Exodus xx. 7.

ΚΠ

1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xx. 7 Thow shalt not tak the name of the Lord thi God in veyn.

a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 25228 (MED) Len vs lord swilk mode and mayn þat we tak neuer þi name in vayn.

c1450 Mirour Saluacioun (Roxb.) 41 The secunde thow shalle noght in vayne thi lord god name take.

1564 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 298 To sweir and tak his name in vane.

1630 W. Travers Vindiciæ Ecclesiæ Angl. iii. 22 His name is taken in vaine.

1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 99 Who's that takes my Name in vain?

1860 Ld. Tennyson Sea Dreams 185 Who, never naming God except for gain, So never took that useful name in vain.

1884 H. R. Haggard Dawn I. ii. 25 I always call Chancery ‘it’. I wouldn't take its name in vain for worlds.

Compounds

In miscellaneous adjectival or adverbial combinations or attributive uses, as vain-averted, vain-boasting, vain-conceited, vain-headed, vain-hearted, vain-proud, vain-spent, vain-talking, adjs.; vain-speaker, vain-struggling.

ΚΠ

1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 3rd Serm. sig. Eviii^v There be some sclaunderouse people, vaynespeakers,..whych I must nedes speake agaynst.

1562 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Æneid ix. B b iij And furst Eurialus he seeth..Vainstruggling working much.

1562 N. Winȝet Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 28 Wanetalkand men and dissauearis, quha peruertis hail houssis.

1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 1st Pt. To Rdr. sig. A2 Though (happly) they haue bene of some vaine conceited fondlings greatly gaped at.

1603 N. Breton Dialogue Pithe & Pleasure sig. E4 If you will be vaine-headed, God helpe you, for I cannot.

a1618 J. Sylvester tr. O. de la Nove Profit Imprisonm. 667 in Wks. (1880) II. 61 The..vain-proud state and port, That for the grace of Kings adorns the Courtly sort.

1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island viii. xxii. 112 A vagrant rout..Strow him with vain-spent prayers, and idle layes.

1848 T. A. Buckley tr. Homer Iliad 291 O babbling and vain-boasting Ajax, what hast thou said?

1858 H. Bushnell Serm. for New Life (1861) vi. 79 He drove Lot's family, or his vain-hearted wife, out of the city.

1871 H. King tr. Ovid Metamorphoses vii. 523 Struggling with vain-averted eyes to shun The noontide beams.

Derivatives

† vain v. Obsolete (transitive) to frustrate.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil

false?c1225

confoundc1315

blenk?a1400

matea1400

interrupt1464

blench1485

fruster?a1513

frustrate?a1513

infatuate1533

disappoint1545

prevent1555

foila1564

blank1566

thwart1581

confute1589

dispurpose1607

shorten1608

foola1616

vain1628

balk1635

throwa1650

scotch1654

bafflea1674

crossbar1680

transverse1770

tomahawk1773

throttle1825

wreck1855

stultify1865

derail1889

to pull the plug1923

rank1924

1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xii. sig. K^v Euery good man..must bee wise and circumspect, to vaine the sleeke nauations of those that would vndoe him.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

单词	vain
释义	vainadj.n. Brit. /veɪn/, U.S. /veɪn/ Forms: α. Middle English vayn (Middle English–1500s Scottish, wayn), Middle English–1500s vayne (Middle English–1500s wayne), Middle English–1700s vaine (Middle English Scottish waine), Middle English, 1500s– vain (Middle English wain). β. Middle English vein, veen, veine; Middle English veyn (Middle English ueyn, weyn), veyne (Middle English veyyne, feyne, Scottish weyne). γ. Middle English wan, Middle English, 1500s Scottish, wane, Middle English–1500s Scottish vane (1500s uane). Etymology: < Old French vein, veyn, vain (French vain) < Latin vānus empty, void, idle, etc. (whence also Italian vano, Spanish vano, Portuguese vão). A. adj. 1. a. Devoid of real value, worth, or significance; idle, unprofitable, useless, worthless; of no effect, force, or power; fruitless, futile, unavailing. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > worthless naughteOE unworthc960 nought worthOE unworthya1240 vaina1300 lewd1362 base?1510 to be nothing toc1520 stark naught1528 nothing worth1535 worthilessa1542 draffish1543 baggage1548 dunghill?1555 valureless1563 toyish1572 worthless1573 out (forth) of door (also doors)1574 leaden1577 riff-raff1577 drafty1582 fecklessc1586 dudgeon?1589 nought-worth1589 tenpenny1592 wanwordy?a1595 shotten herring1598 nugatory1603 unvalued1604 priceless1614 unvaluable1615 valuelessa1616 waste1616 trashya1620 draffy1624 stramineous1624 invaluable1640 roly-poly?1645 nugatorious1646 perquisquilian1647 niffling1649 lazy1671 wanworth1724 little wortha1754 flimsy1756 waff1788 null1790 nothingy1801 nothingly1802 twopenny-halfpenny1809 not worth a flaw1810 garbage1817 peanut1836 duffing1839 trash1843 no-account1845 no-count1851 punky1859 rummagy1872 junky1880 skilligalee1883 footle1894 punk1896 wherry-go-nimble1901 junk1908 rinky-dink1913 schlock1916 tripe1927 duff1938 chickenshit1940 sheg-up1941 expendable1942 (strictly) for the birds1943 tripey1955 schlocky1960 naff1964 dipshit1968 cack1978 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [adjective] idlec825 unnuteOE bricklec1225 tooma1250 unnaita1250 vaina1300 waste1303 overvoida1382 voida1382 superfluec1384 daylessa1387 unbehovely1390 unprofitablea1398 unbehoveful1429 wastefulc1450 idleful1483 fruster1488 vainful1509 frustrate?a1513 superfluousa1533 addle1534 lost1535 fittle1552 futilea1575 nugatory1605 futilous1607 shiftless1613 tympanous1625 emptya1628 frustraneousa1643 pointless1673 futilitous1765 otiose1795 stultificatory1931 α. a1300 Cursor Mundi 28332 Quen idel thoght me come and vain, Wit will i stode þam noght again. c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 3 Na thynge..sa..dos awaye coryous and vayne ocupacyons fra vs. 1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 135 Witeþ al..men þat the power of kynges is vayne. c1450 Mirk's Festial 64 To put away all maner worldes vanyte, and vayn murthe, and reuell. 1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope i. v For the loue of a vayn thynge men ought not to leue that whiche is certeyn. 1544 R. Tracy Supplycacion to Kynge Henry VIII sig. Aiij^v Such wayne vngodly and vnprofitable lerninge. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cij^v Many woulde iudge that promesse to be vayne. 1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. xiii. §8. 439 After which victorie it is said, that he [sc. Iephta] performed the vaine vow, which hee made. 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. iii. §6 Certainly God..will never alter the course of nature, meerly for satisfaction of mens vain curiosities. 1713 R. Steele Englishman No. 7 Without a natural Talent, all the Acquirements of Learning are vain. 1759 R. Jackson Hist. Rev. Pennsylvania 375 The Remainder of that Day..was wasted in a vain Discussion. 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 127 It was vain for him to attempt any explanation. a1853 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1866) 3rd Ser. xiv. 178 In vain regrets for the past, in vainer resolves for the future. 1872 J. Ruskin Eagle's Nest §177 All literature, art, and science are vain, and worse, if they do not enable you to be glad. β. 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 5350 Y rede þou ȝelde hyt aȝen, Þy saluacyun ys elles alle veyn.1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. Prol. 11 The vein honour was noght desired, Which hath the proude herte fyred.1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 1291 Thanne me sempte yt was but veyn, Mor for me to speke ageyn.a1450 Mankind 846 in Macro Plays 32 Beware of weyn confidens of mercy.a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 382 Dremys..ben thingis weyn, of non affek.γ. a1450 Mankind 533 in Macro Plays 20 He xall wene grace were wane.a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 160 Wirk for the ioy that lestis evir, For vder ioy is all bot vane.1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 105 That rathir thay appeir nocht to be spokne of a vane ostentatione, than of the veritie. †b. Of material things: useless, worthless. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > [adjective] leera1250 unprofitablea1398 noughtc1400 inutile1484 unutilea1500 vain1578 useless1593 unuseful1604 serviceless1608 aidless1674 unproductive1713 good-for-nothing1727 nowt1790 invaluable1803 stupid1844 dud1904 puckerooed1919 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 384 Cyclaminus altera hath an unprofitable and vaine roote. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. ii. sig. C^v Most wretched men, whose dayes depend on thrids so vaine . View more context for this quotation 1772 W. Jones Poems 24 His spear, vain instrument of dying praise. c. Trivial, unimportant. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > of little importance or trivial eathlyc890 lighteOE littleOE small?c1225 singlec1449 easy1474 triflous1509 naughty1526 slender1530 slight1548 shrimpish1549 slipper1567 truanta1572 toyous1581 trivious1583 mean1585 silly1587 nicea1594 puny?1594 puisne1598 pusill1599 whindling1601 sapless1602 non-significant1603 poor1603 unsignificant1603 flea-bite1605 perishing1605 lank1607 weightless1610 fonda1616 penny farthing1615 triviala1616 unweighty1621 transitory1637 twattling1651 inconsiderate1655 unserious1655 nugal1656 small drink1656 slighty1662 minute1668 paddling1679 snitling1682 retail1697 Lilliputian1726 vain1731 rattletrap1760 peppercornish1762 peppercorn1791 underling1804 venial1806 lightweight1809 floccinaucical1826 small-bore1833 minified1837 trantlum1838 piffling1848 tea-tabular1855 potty1860 whipping-snapping1861 tea-gardeny1862 quiddling1863 twaddling1863 fidgeting1865 penny ante1865 feather-weighted1870 jerkwater1877 midget1879 mimsy1880 shirttail1881 two-by-four1885 footle1894 skittery1905 footery1929 Mickey Mouse1931 chickenshit1934 minoritized1945 marginal1952 marginalized1961 tea-party1961 little league1962 marginalizing1977 minnowy1991 1731 A. Pope Epist. to Earl of Burlington 13 Imitating Fools, Who..Load some vain Church with old Theatric State; Turn Arcs of Triumph to a Garden-gate. †2. Empty, vacant, void. Also const. of. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > [adjective] > empty idlec825 toomOE lankc1000 emptyOE leera1250 i-lerc1275 vain1382 void1390 bare1399 vacanta1400 i-voidec1415 hollow1600 vake1600 clear1607 inane1662 blank1748 viduous1855 unchargeda1861 1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. i. 2 The erthe forsothe was veyn with~ynne and void. c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) iv. xxix. 62 Alle folke the alouteth and abeyeth, and thou arte veyne, and voyde of al maner of vertue. 1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Prol. 19 With dull forhede and wane, With ruide engine and barrand emptive brane. 1544 Exhort. vnto Prayer sig. A.viii Outwardly shewing a great pretence of holynes, and being vayne of true godlynes inwardly. a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. P. Calderon Scenes from Magico Prodigioso in Posthumous Poems (1824) 391 Such melancholy..is Skilful in forming such in the vain air Out of the motes and atoms of the day.] 3. Of persons: devoid of sense or wisdom; foolish, silly, thoughtless; of an idle or futile nature or disposition. Now rare or Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > foolishness, folly > giddiness, empty-headedness > [adjective] idlec825 giddyc1000 volage?a1366 apec1370 foolisha1382 vain1390 idleful1483 volageous1487 glaikit1488 cock-brained1530 apish1532 empty1550 sillyc1555 frivolous?1563 tickle-headed1583 light-braineda1593 frothy1593 owlish1596 bird-witted1605 empty-headed1614 idle-headed1614 empty-pateda1628 marmosetical1630 grollish1637 feather-headed1647 nonsense1647 whirl-crowned1648 feather-brained1649 swimmering1650 soft-pated1651 weather-headeda1652 shuttlecock1660 drum-headed1664 chicken-brained1678 halokit1724 desipient1727 shatter-pated1727 scattered-brained1747 light-thoughted1777 scatter-brained1804 shandy-pated1806 hellicat1815 feather-pated1819 inane1819 weather-brained1826 bubble-headed1827 tomfoolish1838 bird-brained1892 tottle1894 fluffy1898 scatty1911 wandery1912 scattery1924 twitterpated1943 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 217 Wherof he wax so proud and vein, That he his fader in desdeign Hath take. c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi i. vii. 8 He is veyne þat puttiþ his hope in men or in creatures. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) James ii. C Wilt thou vnderstonde o thou vayne man that faith with out dedes is deed? c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4384 At Vaxor þe vayn pepull voidly honourit Bachian. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 106 Diuerse vaine persons bruted dayly among the Commons of the realme, that Christ had twise apered vnto him. a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. ii. 186 This I thinke, there's no man is so vaine, That would refuse so faire an offer'd Chaine. View more context for this quotation a1631 J. Donne Woman's Constancy in Poems Vaine lunatique, against these scapes I could Dispute, and conquer, if I would. 1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1687) xx. 210 If it..would make you a medler in other mens matters (as most of our vain Believers are). 1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 754 [Art not] thou at best, and in thy sob'rest mood, A trifler vain ? View more context for this quotation 1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms i. 587 Hush! hush! thou vain dreamer! this hour is her last. 1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci v. iii. 93 So that our hair should sweep The footsteps of the vain and senseless crowd. absolute.c1450 [see sense B. 1]. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 242 Is sparkling wit..The fixt fee-simple of the vain and light?1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna ix. xiv. 200 The peace of slavery, With which old times..had quelled the vain and free. 4. a. Given to or indulging in personal vanity; having an excessively high opinion of one's own appearance, attainments, qualities, possessions, etc.; delighting in, or desirous of attracting, the admiration of others; conceited. Also absol. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > vanity > [adjective] self-liking1580 self-loved1590 self-admiring1592 self-loving1593 self-liked1599 glass-gazing1608 coxcombly1610 self-admired1621 coxcombical1649 self-idolizing1649 vain1692 flashy1693 vaunty1724 coxcombic1730 self-idolized1766 narcissine1805 foofaraw1848 vanitous1900 narcissistic1915 narcistic1918 dicty1920 narcissist1934 1692 J. Dryden Eleonora 7 For to be consc'ious of what all admire, And not be vain, advances Vertue high'r. 1703 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) V. 531 She..I believe carryed with her out of this vaine nation above 1000 pounds. 1763 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting III. i. 32 Perceiving the poor man to be immoderately vain, he piqued him to attempt portraits. 1832 E. Bulwer-Lytton Eugene Aram I. i. x. 171 It might teach the vainest to forswear vanity. 1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. x. 609 The vain man, restless, insatiable, and always craving after the admiration of his contemporaries. 1884 F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer (ed. 2) I. 18 The heart of the vain man is lighter than the heart of the proud. in extended use.1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 230 The vainest corner of our own vain heart. b. Const. of. ΚΠ 1697 K. Chetwood Pref. to Pastorals in J. Dryden tr. Virgil Wks. sig. ****2 We deserve more compassion, because we are not vain of our Barbarities. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones* I. i. viii. 46 A good, honest, plain Girl, and not vain of her Face. View more context for this quotation 1829 E. Bulwer-Lytton Devereux I. i. i. 5 Between you and me, he was not a little vain of his leg. 1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxiv. 206 The General..sate down to pen a poulet (he was exceedingly vain of his French) to Mademoiselle Aménaide. B. n. †1. Vanity; a vain thing. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > insubstantial triflec1290 vainc1330 winda1382 vapour1382 gossamer?a1400 visevase1481 good morrow1542 cobweb1579 superficial1579 puff1583 bladder1589 blathery1591 froth1594 bag of winda1599 moth1600 nominala1625 tumour1630 windlestraw1637 vacuity1648 balloon1656 blank1678 breath bubble1835 nominality1842 fluff1906 cotton candy1931 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [noun] > that which is idlec1000 vanityc1230 vainc1330 futility1667 c1330 King of Tars 71 I schal him seende such wordes to seyn, That al his thought schal torne to veyn. c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi i. xx. 26 Leeue veyn [L. vana] to þe veyn, & take þou hede to þo þinges þat god comaundiþ þe. 1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 74 All the World proclaiming Vain of Vains, Mans happinesse in Gods true Fear maintains. 1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. lii. sig. R6 The power of the Gospel, in crying downe the vaines of men. 1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the Third 20 The Fruits of dying Friends survey; Expose the Vain of Life; Weigh Life and Death. †2. Emptiness, void space. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > [noun] > absolute emptiness of space vaina1382 emptiness1533 empty1535 vacuity1546 vacuum1550 vacancy1603 voida1618 inanea1676 a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Job xxvi. 7 He that streccheth out the north vp on vein [L. super vacuum], and hangeth vp the erthe vp on noȝt. 1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure 105 Wythouten vayne he dyd all thyng fulfyll As astronomy doth make apparaunce. Phrases P1. a. In the adverbial phr. in vain adv. to no effect or purpose; ineffectually, uselessly, vainly.After Latin in vanum, or Old French en vein (French en vain, = Italian in vano, Spanish en vano, Portuguese em vão). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > in vain [phrase] in (or on) idlenessc825 in (earlier on, an) idlec1000 in idleshipa1250 in vaina1300 over tomeheda1300 (all) for noughtc1300 in waste1340 in deveyn(ec1400 to little availc1450 without availc1450 in fruster1488 to good (also great, some, little, no, etc.) purpose1525 for nothing1560 sans fail1597 for vaina1616 α. a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xx. 1 That..he spend noght his preciouse blode in vayn on vs. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16172 Of him he wend ha signes sene, For noght, al was in vain. 1422 J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 198 Thar Prayer was not in wayne. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 151 The more thai bad the mor it was in wayne. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iv. 48 Bot þat trawaill þai maid in wayne. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job ii. 3 Yet is it in vayne, for he contynueth still in his godlynesse. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xvii. 20 All was in vain, for there was no remedy but to obey. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xviii. 89 It is therefore in vain to grant Soveraignty by way of precedent Covenant. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 108 Nor Bits nor Bridles can his Rage restrain; And rugged Rocks are interpos'd in vain . View more context for this quotation 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 1. ¶7 The secret Satisfaction of thinking that I have not Lived in vain. 1752 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 157 In vain do you seek repose from beds of roses. 1836 W. Irving Astoria II. 227 Here he endeavoured in vain to barter a rifle for a horse. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 623 He wrote piteous letters to the king and to several courtiers, but in vain. 1864 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire iii. 31 Lewis tried in vain to satisfy his sons by dividing and redividing. β. 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 10252 Alle here trauayle þey do yn veyn.c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Dido. 1359 For wel I wot that it is al in veyn.c1420 Chron. Vilod. 4173 He..sayde, ‘nowe haue y trauellede twey [= twice] in feyne’.c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 65 Ye schal nat labour al in veyne, Ye shul have hevene.a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 524 The king..al this resone thinkith bot in weyne.γ. a1300 Cursur M. (Edinb.) 19411 Al þaire striue was bot in wan.c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 518 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 44 Ȝet wald nocht god his prayer war in wane.1483 Cath. Angl. 197/1 In vane, frustra.a1505 R. Henryson Orpheus & Eurydice l. 148 in Poems (1981) 136 Him to reios ȝit playit he a spryng,..Bot all in wane, thai comfort him no thing.1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 13 Thay that sweris in uane and thay that sweris ony fals aith.1573 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxix. 140 For lake of lederis thair thay wrocht in uane.a1600 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xviii. 37 Vhen they sau they wroght in vane. †b. So for vain. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > in vain [phrase] in (or on) idlenessc825 in (earlier on, an) idlec1000 in idleshipa1250 in vaina1300 over tomeheda1300 (all) for noughtc1300 in waste1340 in deveyn(ec1400 to little availc1450 without availc1450 in fruster1488 to good (also great, some, little, no, etc.) purpose1525 for nothing1560 sans fail1597 for vaina1616 a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. iv. 12 My Grauitie Wherein..I take pride, Could I, with boote, change for an idle plume Which the ayre beats for vaine . View more context for this quotation P2. to take in vain. †a. To disregard, to treat with contempt. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > hold in contempt [verb (transitive)] > treat with contempt unworthc950 to make scorn at, toc1320 to take in vainc1330 despise1377 rebuke?a1400 despite1481 indign1490 to make a mumming of1523 flock1545 scandalize1566 to make coarse account of1578 misregard1582 overpeer1583 to make a pish at (also of)1593 to make a push at1600 to bite by the nose1602 blurta1625 to piss ona1625 to make wash-way of, with1642 trample1646 huff1677 snouch1761 to walk over (the course)1779 to run over ——1816 snoot1928 shaft1959 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 16271 Osewy tok þy somons in veyn, To come to court he hadde disdeyn. a1400 Coer de L. 3769 Kyng Phelyp took theroff non hede, But layde thertoo a deff ear... Kyng Richardys words he took in vain. b. With name as object. To use or utter (the name of God) lightly, needlessly, or profanely; transferred to mention or speak of casually or idly.A literal rendering of assumere (nomen Dei) in vanum in the Vulgate text of Exodus xx. 7. ΚΠ 1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xx. 7 Thow shalt not tak the name of the Lord thi God in veyn. a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 25228 (MED) Len vs lord swilk mode and mayn þat we tak neuer þi name in vayn. c1450 Mirour Saluacioun (Roxb.) 41 The secunde thow shalle noght in vayne thi lord god name take. 1564 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 298 To sweir and tak his name in vane. 1630 W. Travers Vindiciæ Ecclesiæ Angl. iii. 22 His name is taken in vaine. 1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 99 Who's that takes my Name in vain? 1860 Ld. Tennyson Sea Dreams 185 Who, never naming God except for gain, So never took that useful name in vain. 1884 H. R. Haggard Dawn I. ii. 25 I always call Chancery ‘it’. I wouldn't take its name in vain for worlds. Compounds In miscellaneous adjectival or adverbial combinations or attributive uses, as vain-averted, vain-boasting, vain-conceited, vain-headed, vain-hearted, vain-proud, vain-spent, vain-talking, adjs.; vain-speaker, vain-struggling. ΚΠ 1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 3rd Serm. sig. Eviii^v There be some sclaunderouse people, vaynespeakers,..whych I must nedes speake agaynst. 1562 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Æneid ix. B b iij And furst Eurialus he seeth..Vainstruggling working much. 1562 N. Winȝet Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 28 Wanetalkand men and dissauearis, quha peruertis hail houssis. 1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 1st Pt. To Rdr. sig. A2 Though (happly) they haue bene of some vaine conceited fondlings greatly gaped at. 1603 N. Breton Dialogue Pithe & Pleasure sig. E4 If you will be vaine-headed, God helpe you, for I cannot. a1618 J. Sylvester tr. O. de la Nove Profit Imprisonm. 667 in Wks. (1880) II. 61 The..vain-proud state and port, That for the grace of Kings adorns the Courtly sort. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island viii. xxii. 112 A vagrant rout..Strow him with vain-spent prayers, and idle layes. 1848 T. A. Buckley tr. Homer Iliad 291 O babbling and vain-boasting Ajax, what hast thou said? 1858 H. Bushnell Serm. for New Life (1861) vi. 79 He drove Lot's family, or his vain-hearted wife, out of the city. 1871 H. King tr. Ovid Metamorphoses vii. 523 Struggling with vain-averted eyes to shun The noontide beams. Derivatives † vain v. Obsolete (transitive) to frustrate. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil false?c1225 confoundc1315 blenk?a1400 matea1400 interrupt1464 blench1485 fruster?a1513 frustrate?a1513 infatuate1533 disappoint1545 prevent1555 foila1564 blank1566 thwart1581 confute1589 dispurpose1607 shorten1608 foola1616 vain1628 balk1635 throwa1650 scotch1654 bafflea1674 crossbar1680 transverse1770 tomahawk1773 throttle1825 wreck1855 stultify1865 derail1889 to pull the plug1923 rank1924 1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xii. sig. K^v Euery good man..must bee wise and circumspect, to vaine the sleeke nauations of those that would vndoe him. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < adj.n.a1300
随便看	catch forth catch haste catch hell catch her at it! catch her! catch him at it! catch him! catch hold catch honours catch hook catch in the rebound catch it catch it hot catch it in the neck catch lightning in a bottle catch like a rat in a trap catch limit catch lock catch maker catch me ! catch me at it! catch meadow catch motion catch napping catch off