Vāin, a.

a. [compar. VAINER; superl. VAINEST.] [Fr. vain, Pr. van, va, Pg. vāo, Sp. & It. vano, Lat. vanus.] 1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying; trivial. “Thy vain excuse.” Shak. “Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy.” Milton. Every man walketh in a vain show. Ps. xxxix. 6. Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye! Shak. 2. Destitute of force or efficacy; to no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual. Bring no more vain oblations. Isa. i. 13. Vain is the force of man To crush the pillars which the pile sustains. Dryden. 3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; elated with a high opinion of one's own accomplishments, or with things more showy than valuable; conceited; puffed up; inflated. The minstrels played on every side, Vain of their art. Dryden. 4. Showy; ostentatious. Load some vain church with old theatric state. Pope. In vain, to no purpose; without effect; ineffectual. “In vain doth valor bleed.” Milton. “In vain do they worship me.” Matt. xv. 9.—To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God with levity or profaneness. Syn.—Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal; shadowy; showy; ostentatious; unsatisfying; light; inconstant; false; deceitful; delusive; unimportant; trifling.