vain

adj

Etymology: From Middle English veyn, from Old French vain, from Latin vānus (“empty”).

1. Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.

   “Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is vain; it only means that he is hopelessly self-absorbed.”

2. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.

   “I will not hear thy vain excuse”

   “Let no man deceive you with vain words.”

3. Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.

   “vain toil    a vain attempt”

   “Vain is the force of man / To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.”

4. Showy; ostentatious.

   “Yet ſhall (my Lord) your juſt, your noble Rules / Fill half the land with imitating Fools: / VVho random dravvings from your ſheets ſhall take, / And of one beauty many blunders make; / Load ſome vain Church with old Theatric State, / Turn Arcs of Triumph to a Garden-gate, […]”

noun

1. Acronym of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.

verb

Etymology: A conversion of the adjectival form of vain. The only use of this verb in English appears c. 1628 in the writings of Owen Felltham.

1. To frustrate.