Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VAN'ISH, v.i. [L. vanesco; Fr. evanouir; It. svanire; from L. vanus, vain, or its root; Eng. to wane. The primary sense is to withdraw or depart.]

1. To disappear; to pass from a visible to an invisible state; as, vapor vanishes from the sight by being dissipated. Light vanishes when the rays of the illuminating body are intercepted; darkness vanishes before the rising sun.
2. To disappear; to pass beyond the limit of vision; as, ship vanishes from the sight of spectators on land.
3. To disappear; to pass away; to be annihilated or lost. How cheering is the well founded hope of enjoying delights which can never vanish!