v. 1 intr. a disappear suddenly. b disappear gradually; fade away. 2 intr. cease to exist. 3 intr. Math. become zero. 4 tr. cause to disappear. vanishing cream an ointment that leaves no visible trace when rubbed into the skin. vanishing-point 1 the point at which receding parallel lines viewed in perspective appear to meet. 2 the state of complete disappearance of something.
[ ME f. OF e(s)vaniss- stem of e(s)vanir ult. f. L evanescere (as EX-(1), vanus empty) ]