having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth
自负的,自视过高的,爱虚荣的
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their flattery made him vain .他们的吹捧使他自命不凡。
[attrib.]producing no result; useless
无结果的,无效的
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a vain attempt to tidy up the room 徒劳的整理房间
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the vain hope of finding work. 找到工作的落空希望。
having no meaning or likelihood of fulfilment
徒劳的,无意义的
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a vain boast. 徒劳的自夸。
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in vain without success or a result 徒劳地they waited in vain for a response . 他们白等回音 -
take someone's name in vain use someone's name in a way that shows a lack of respect 滥用某人的名义;轻慢谈到某人的名字
"Middle English (in the sense ‘devoid of real worth’): via Old French from Latin