Vain

(superl.) Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.

(superl.) Destitute of forge or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt.

(superl.) Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated.

(superl.) Showy; ostentatious.

(n.) Vanity; emptiness; -- now used only in the phrase in vain.

加文手打

• It was in vain for Annie to protest that she was weary of such things. 查尔斯·狄更斯. 大卫·科波菲尔.
• Where Judy Trenor led, all the world would follow; and Lily had the doomed sense of the castaway who has signalled in vain to fleeing sails. 伊迪丝·华顿. 快乐之家.
• I'll try not to be vain, said Amy. 路易莎·梅·奥尔科特. 小妇人.
• Men are vain of the beauty of their country, of their county, of their parish. 戴维·休谟. 人性论.
• Vain, ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled! 简·奥斯汀. 傲慢与偏见.
• Miss Ophelia hastened into the room, and tried to raise and silence her; but in vain. 哈丽叶特·比切·斯托. 汤姆叔叔的小屋.
• If it were as you say, what could be sadder than so much ardent labor all in vain? 乔治·艾略特. 米德尔马契.
• Yes, let us eat our fill of the vain thing and be thankful therefor. 威廉·梅克比斯·萨克雷. 名利场.
• The effort has been in vain. 威尔基·柯林斯. 白衣女人.
• I have thought about it too, and thought in vain. 威尔基·柯林斯. 白衣女人.
• My dear, said the cotton-tassel in defence of his conduct, Jos is a great deal vainer than you ever were in your life, and that's saying a good deal. 威廉·梅克比斯·萨克雷. 名利场.

整理:卢修斯