different between vainness vs vanity

English

Etymology

vain +? -ness

Noun

vainness (uncountable)

1. The property of being vain.

   His vainness resulted in his perpetual mirror staring.

2. Futility; fruitlessness.

English

Etymology

va(i)n +? -ity, from Middle English vanite, from Old French vanité, from Latin v?nitas, from v?nus, whence English vain. Doublet of vanitas.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?væ.n?.ti/

Noun

vanity (countable and uncountable, plural vanities)

1. That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value, use or profit.
2. Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own abilities, appearance or achievements.
3. A dressing table used to apply makeup, preen, and coif hair. The table is normally quite low and similar to a desk, with drawers and one or more mirrors on top. Either a chair or bench is used to sit upon.
4. A washbasin installed into a permanently fixed storage unit, used as an item of bathroom furniture.
5. Emptiness. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
6. (obsolete) Any idea, theory or statement that is without foundation.

   It is a vanity to say that if two stones are dropped from a tower, the heavier will experience the greater acceleration.

Synonyms

• conceit
• egotism
• narcissism
• pride
• See also Thesaurus:arrogance

Derived terms

• vanity case
• vanity item

Related terms

• vain

Translations

Further reading

• vanity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• vanity in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.