Adjective

(en adjective)

Quiet, modest, reserved, sober, or serious.

She is a demure young lady.

* W. Black

Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes.

* '>citation

Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.

* L'Estrange

A cat lay, and looked so demure , as if there had been neither life nor soul in her.

* Miss Mitford

Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head.

Adjective

(en-adj)

Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.

* (rfdate) Leo Rosten

Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is vain ; it only means that he is hopelessly self-absorbed.

Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.

* (William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)

thy vain excuse

* Bible, (w) v. 6

Let no man deceive you with vain words.

* (John Milton) (1608-1674)

Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy.

Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.

* (John Dryden) (1631-1700)

Vain is the force of man / To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.

* (rfdate) William of Occam

It is vain to do with more what can be done with fewer.

*{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)

, chapter=6, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=But Sophia's mother was not the woman to brook defiance. After a few moments' vain remonstrance her husband complied. His manner and appearance were suggestive of a satiated sea-lion.}}

Showy; ostentatious.

* (Alexander Pope) (1688-1744)

Load some vain church with old theatric state.