vainnessn.
/ˈveɪnnəs/, U.S. /ˈveɪ(n)nəs/ The state or condition of being vain, in various senses:† c. Foolishness, stupidity. Obsolete. rare.
a. Futility, ineffectiveness, uselessness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [noun]
vanityc1325
overvoidnessa1382
unnaitnessa1400
unnaitshipa1400
unprofitablenessc1400
voidnessa1425
vainness1567
futility1623
emptiness1632
idlenessa1650
insignificancy1720
futileness1727
pointlessness1845
1567 T. Palfreyman Baldwin's Treat. Morall Philos. (new ed.) f. 61v The vainnesse of this lyfe is greater than the profit.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xxxiii. 18) The helps of the world hold our senses entangled..till they have given us a tryall of theyr vaynenesse.
a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) v. i. 284 I knew the vainnesse of my hopes, and the just cause Alcidiana had to punish my boldnesse.
1719 in T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth IV. 303 Beauty..shew'd the vainess of Defence, When Phillis does Invade.
1849 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1866) 1st Ser. xix. 314 Pilate, feeling the vainness..of these pretensions.
1892 Athenæum 18 June 790/1 The vainness of this and that creed.
b. Vanity, esp. personal vanity or conceit. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > vanity > [noun]
idleshipa1250
vanitya1340
self-love1539
self-liking1549
conceit1563
vainness1567
self-pridea1586
self-delight1591
self-admiration1609
self-respect1609
self-lovingnessa1628
self-idolatry1643
self-idolizing1643
selfism1731
coxcombry1745
coxcombliness1765
coxcombicality1766
coxcombery1774
narcissism1822
narcism1938
1567 T. Palfreyman Baldwin's Treat. Morall Philos. (new ed.) f. 26v He despised..much all vainnesse of apparel.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David (1823) xxvi. iii I did not them frequent, Who be to vainesse bent.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) v. 0. 20 Free from vain-nesse, and selfe-glorious pride. View more context for this quotation
1645 G. Wither Vox Pacifica 19 The vices, and the vainnesse of thy tongue.
1825 S. T. Coleridge Lett., Conversat., & Recoll. 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.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > foolishness, folly > giddiness, empty-headedness > [noun]
giddiheadc1275
giddinessa1290
lighthead1340
vanityc1386
glaikitnessa1500
idleness1535
levity1564
emptiness1577
vainness1591
frivolousnessa1631
volageness1633
grollery1637
brain-giddinessa1652
desipience1656
desipiencya1682
frothinessa1716
inanity1756
frivolity1796
unpracticalness1828
unpracticality1840
bird-wittedness1854
scattiness1959
1591 E. Spenser Visions of Worlds Vanitie in Complaints vi O how great vainnesse is it then to scorne The weake.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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