vanity — ODE · Shobdo

vanity /ˈvanɪti

▸ noun

(plural vanities)

1 [mass noun] excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements:

it flattered his vanity to think I was in love with him

[count noun] the vanities and ambitions of politicians.

▪ [as modifier] denoting a person or company publishing works at the author's expense:

a vanity press.

2 [mass noun] the quality of being worthless or futile:

the vanity of human wishes.

3 North American English a dressing table.

– ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French vanite, from Latin vanitas, from vanus ‘empty’ (see vain).