vanish

Everyday

1. To vanish means to disappear suddenly or in a way you cannot explain. tree →
2. To vanish also means to stop existing, like an animal or a way of life that is gone for ever. tree →

In the lessons

In stories things vanish by magic or mystery; magicians make coins vanish with tricks. In science and history some animals and old ways of life have vanished. Phrases: «vanish into thin air», «vanishing act», «vanish without a trace».

Examples

• The magician made the rabbit vanish. tree →
• My pencil seems to have vanished! tree →
• The sun vanished behind the clouds. tree →
• The cat vanished under the bed. tree →
• Many kinds of animals have vanished from the Earth. tree →
• The ghost vanished into thin air. tree →
• The fog vanished as the sun came up. tree →
• The dream was over; it had vanished. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Same as «disappear», but often more sudden or mysterious. In real life nothing truly vanishes by magic: magic tricks use hiding and distraction. «Vanishing point» in art is where lines seem to meet far away.

In Jewish tradition

It means to disappear or pass away. In the Psalms it describes creatures that die when God withdraws their breath.

Interpretation. The tradition reads this as a sign that all life depends on God each moment.

Examples

• Thou hidest Thy face, they vanish; Thou withdrawest their breath, they perish, and return to their dust. (Writings PSA.104.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. (Writings JOB.6.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb. Same as «disappear», but often more sudden or mysterious. In real life nothing truly vanishes by magic: magic tricks use hiding and distraction. «Vanishing point» in art is where lines seem to meet far away.