vanity

 
Pronunciation: /ˈvanɪti/

noun (plural vanities)

  • 1 [mass noun] excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements: it flattered his vanity to think I was in love with him [count noun]: the vanities and ambitions of politicians
  • [as modifier] denoting a person or company publishing works at the author’s expense: a vanity press
  • 2 [mass noun] the quality of being worthless or futile: the vanity of human wishes
  • 3North American a dressing table.

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French vanite, from Latin vanitas, from vanus 'empty' (see vain)