An obsolete title of dignity next to a peer. 2 Inst. 667; 2 Steph. Comm. 612. Vana est ilia potentia quss nunquam venit in actnm. That power is vain [idle or useless] which never comes into action, [which is never exercised.] 2 Coke, 51. Vani timores sunt asstimandl, qui non eadunt in eonstantem virom. Those are to be regarded as idle fears which do not affect a steady [firm or resolute] man. 7 Coke, 27. Vani timoris justa ezeusatio non est. A frivolous fear is not a legal excuse. Dig. 50, 17, 154; 2 Inst. 483.