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Dec 1, 2009
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vain



Pronunciation: (vān), [key]
—adj., -er, -est.
1. excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: a vain dandy.
2. proceeding from or showing personal vanity: vain remarks.
3. ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile: a vain effort.
4. without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless: vain pageantry; vain display.
5. Archaic.senseless or foolish.
6. in vain,
a. without effect or avail; to no purpose: to apologize in vain.
b. in an improper or irreverent manner: to take God's name in vain.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

vailVäinämöinen
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