Vanishing fraction(Math.), a fraction which reduces to the form &frac00 for a particular value of the variable which enters it, usually in consequence of the existence of a common factor in both terms of the fraction, which factor becomes 0 for this particular value of the variable. Math. Dict.Vanishing line(Persp.), the intersection of the parallel of any original plane and picture; one of the lines converging to the vanishing point.Vanishing point(Persp.), the point to which all parallel lines in the same plane tend in the representation. Gwilt.Vanishing stress(Phon.), stress of voice upon the closing portion of a syllable. Rush.

Vanishment
(Van"ish*ment) n. A vanishing. [Obs.]

Vanity
(Van"i*ty) n.; pl. Vanities [OE. vanite, vanité, L. vanitas, fr. vanus empty, vain. See Vain.]

1. The quality or state of being vain; want of substance to satisfy desire; emptiness; unsubstantialness; unrealness; falsity.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Eccl. i. 2.

Here I may well show the vanity of that which is reported in the story of Walsingham.
Sir J. Davies.

2. An inflation of mind upon slight grounds; empty pride inspired by an overweening conceit of one's personal attainments or decorations; an excessive desire for notice or approval; pride; ostentation; conceit.

The exquisitely sensitive vanity of Garrick was galled.
Macaulay.

3. That which is vain; anything empty, visionary, unreal, or unsubstantial; fruitless desire or effort; trifling labor productive of no good; empty pleasure; vain pursuit; idle show; unsubstantial enjoyment.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher.
Eccl. i. 2.

Vanity possesseth many who are desirous to know the certainty of things to come.
Sir P. Sidney.

[Sin] with vanity had filled the works of men.
Milton.

Think not, when woman's transient breath is fled,
That all her vanities at once are dead;
Succeeding vanities she still regards.
Pope.

4. One of the established characters in the old moralities and puppet shows. See Morality, n., 5.

You . . . take vanity the puppet's part.
Shak.

Syn. — Egotism; pride; emptiness; worthlessness; self- sufficiency. See Egotism, and Pride.

Vanjas
(Van"jas) n. (Zoöl.) The Australian pied crow shrike It is glossy bluish black, with the under tail coverts and the tips and bases of the tail feathers white.

Vanner
(Van"ner) n. (Mining) A machine for concentrating ore. See Frue vanner.

Vanner hawk
(Van"ner hawk`) The kestrel. [Prov. Eng.]

Vanning
(Van"ning), n. (Mining) A process by which ores are washed on a shovel, or in a vanner.

Vanquish
(Van"quish) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vanquished ; p. pr. & vb. n. Vanquishing.] [OE. venquishen, venquissen, venkisen,F. vaincre, pret. vainquis, OF. veintre, pret. venqui, venquis (cf. an OF. infin. vainquir), fr. L. vincere; akin to AS. wig war, battle, wigant a warrior, wigan to fight, Icel. vig battle, Goth. weihan to fight, contend. Cf. Convince, Evict, Invincible, Victor.]

Vanishing to Variable

Vanishing
(Van"ish*ing) a. & n. from Vanish, v.


  By PanEris using Melati.

Previous chapter Back Home Email this Search Discuss Bookmark Next chapter/page
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission.
See our FAQ for more details.