intr.v. van·ished, van·ish·ing, van·ish·es 1. a. To pass out of sight, especially quickly; disappear. See Synonyms at disappear. b. To pass out of existence: when the dinosaurs vanished from the earth. 2. Mathematics To become zero. Used of a function or variable. [Middle English vanisshen, alteration of Old French esvanir, esvaniss-, from Vulgar Latin *exvanīre, alteration of Latin ēvānēscere : ē-, ex-, ex- + vānēscere, to vanish (from vānus, empty; see euə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] vanish·er n. vanish·ing·ly adv. vanish·ment n. |
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