| Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary 1,725,049,340 visitors served. |
|
Dictionary/ thesaurus | Medical dictionary | Legal dictionary | Financial dictionary | Acronyms | Idioms | Encyclopedia | Wikipedia encyclopedia | ? |
in vain |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus | 0.03 sec. |
|
in vain for no purpose; [done] as a failure. They rushed her to the hospital, but they did it in vain. We tried in vain to get her there on time. See also: vain in vain 1. without success Melissa shifted about, trying in vain to find a comfortable position. Government agents tried in vain to kidnap him. 2. without any useful result Clegg said Friday's military operation went well, and that these soldiers did not die in vain. The president himself must make the argument, or all our work will be in vain. See also: vain How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
|
| ? References in classic literature |
|---|
In vain did we count the tedious moments of his absence--in vain did we weep--in vain even did we sigh--no Edward returned--. It was in vain that Cedric's cupbearer looked around for his young master---he saw the bloody spot on which he had lately sunk down, but himself he saw no longer; it seemed as if the fairies had conveyed him from the spot. In vain he described the bird to his attendants, who rushed at his first call; in vain they sought the wonderful creature both on horse and foot, and summoned the fowlers to their aid: the bird could nowhere be found. |
| Idioms and phrases |
| Free Tools: |
For surfers:
Free toolbar & extensions |
Word of the Day |
Help
For webmasters: Free content | Linking | Lookup box | Double-click lookup | Partner with us |
|---|