[van.ish] vb [ME vanisshen, fr. MF evaniss-, stem of evanir, fr. (assumed) VL exvanire, alter. of L evanescere to dissipate like vapor, vanish, fr. e- + vanescere to vanish, fr. vanus empty] vi (14c) 1 a: to pass quickly from sight: disappear b: to pass completely from existence
2: to assume the value zero ~ vt: to cause to disappear -- van.ish.er n