vanity

Etymology

From va(i)n + -ity, from Middle English vanite, from Old French vanité, from Latin vānitas, from vānus, whence English vain. Doublet of vanitas.

noun

1. That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value, use or profit.
2. Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own abilities, appearance, achievements, or possessions.
3. A dressing table used to apply makeup, preen, and coif hair. The table is normally quite low and similar to a desk, with drawers and one or more mirrors on top. Either a chair or bench is used to sit upon.
   She was sitting in front of her vanity, brushing out her hair. 2020, Brit Bennett, The Vanishing Half, Dialogue Books, page 148
4. A washbasin installed into a permanently fixed storage unit, used as an item of bathroom furniture.
5. Emptiness.
6. (obsolete) Any idea, theory or statement that is without foundation.
   It is a vanity to say that if two stones are dropped from a tower, the heavier will experience the greater acceleration.