vain pomp

  • 1Vain — Vain, a. [Compar. {Vainer}; superl. {Vainest}.] [F. vain, L. vanus empty, void, vain. Cf. {Vanish}, {Vanity}, {Vaunt} to boast.] [1913 Webster] 1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying. Thy vain… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2vain — [vān] adj. [OFr < L vanus, empty, vain: see WANT] 1. having no real value or significance; worthless, empty, idle, hollow, etc. [vain pomp] 2. without force or effect; futile, fruitless, unprofitable, unavailing, etc. [a vain endeavor] 3.… …

    English World dictionary

  • 3vain — 1 Vain, nugatory, otiose, idle, empty, hollow are comparable when they mean devoid of worth or significance. Something vain (see also FUTILE) is devoid of all value, either absolutely because worthless, superfluous, or unprofitable or relatively… …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 4pomp — ► NOUN 1) ceremony and splendid display. 2) (pomps) archaic vain and boastful display. ORIGIN Greek pomp procession, pomp , from pempein send …

    English terms dictionary

  • 5pomp — (n.) c.1300, from O.Fr. pompe (13c.), from L. pompa procession, pomp, from Gk. pompe solemn procession, display, lit. a sending, from pempein to send. In Church Latin, used in depreciatory sense for worldly display, vain show …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 6vain|glo|ry — «VAYN GLAWR ee, GLOHR », noun, plural ries. 1. an extreme pride in oneself; boastful vanity. 2. worthless pomp or show: »What needs these Feasts, pomps and vainglories? (Shakespeare). SYNONYM(S): ostentation. ╂[< vain + glory, translation of… …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 7pomp — /pɒmp / (say pomp) noun 1. stately or splendid display; splendour; magnificence. 2. ostentatious or vain display, especially of dignity or importance. 3. (plural) pompous displays or things. 4. Obsolete a stately or splendid procession; pageant.… …

  • 8pomp — pompless, adj. /pomp/, n. 1. stately or splendid display; splendor; magnificence. 2. ostentatious or vain display, esp. of dignity or importance. 3. pomps, pompous displays, actions, or things: The official was accompanied by all the pomps of his …

    Universalium

  • 9pomp — noun 1》 ceremony and splendid display. 2》 (also pomps) archaic vain and boastful display. Origin ME: from OFr. pompe, via L. from Gk pompē procession, pomp , from pempein send …

    English new terms dictionary

  • 10pomp — [[t]pɒmp[/t]] n. 1) stately or splendid display; splendor; magnificence 2) ostentatious or vain display, esp. of dignity or importance 3) pomps, pompous displays, actions, or things 4) archaic a stately procession; pageant • Etymology: 1275–1325; …

    From formal English to slang