vain
adjective (vain, vainer, vainest); phrase «in vain»
Everyday
- Too proud of your looks, cleverness or what you have. tree →
- Useless; not succeeding: a vain attempt. tree →
- «In vain» means without success. tree →
In the lessons
In stories and fables, a vain character (a vain peacock or crow) is often tricked because of pride. «In vain» tells the reader that trying did not work. Phrases: «in vain», «a vain hope», «vain as a peacock».
Examples
- The vain crow dropped the cheese when the fox praised her singing. tree →
- He is so vain he checks his hair in every window. tree →
- They searched in vain for the lost ring. tree →
- It was a vain attempt to catch the bus. tree →
- Don't be vain about winning; be kind. tree →
- She waited in vain for a reply. tree →
- The goose hunted everywhere, but in vain. tree →
Note
Homophones: vain, vein (a tube for blood), vane (a weather vane). Noun: vanity. «Vainly» = without success. Opposite of the first sense: modest.
In Jewish tradition
"In vain" means for a false or empty purpose. The Torah uses it for taking God's name falsely or for effort with no result.
Interpretation. The commandment not to take God's name "in vain" is read as forbidding false oaths and also using God's name carelessly or for no good reason.
Examples
- And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield her produce, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruit. (Torah LEV.26.20, JPS 1917) tree →
- Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. (Torah EXO.20.7, JPS 1917) tree →
- For it is no vain thing for you; because it is your life, and through this thing ye shall prolong your days upon the land, whither ye go over the Jordan to possess it.' (Torah DEU.32.47, JPS 1917) tree →
- How then comfort ye me in vain? (Writings JOB.21.34, JPS 1917) tree →
- And why do the peoples mutter in vain? (Writings PSA.2.1, JPS 1917) tree →
- I shall be condemned; why then do I labour in vain? (Writings JOB.9.29, JPS 1917) tree →
Note
Homophones: vain, vein (a tube for blood), vane (a weather vane). Noun: vanity. «Vainly» = without success. Opposite of the first sense: modest.
On Mova
- Trees and pragmatics of «vain» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «vain» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
- Trees and pragmatics of «vain» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «vain» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
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