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vacant

Vacant Va"cant, a. [F., fr. L. vacans, -antis, p. pr. of vacare to be empty, to be free or unoccupied, to have leisure, also vocare; akin to vacuus empty, and probably to E. void. Cf. Evacuate, Void, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Deprived of contents; not filled; empty; as, a vacant room. [1913 Webster]

Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Being of those virtues vacant. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

There is no fireside, howsoe er defended, But has one vacant chair. --Longfellow. [1913 Webster]

2. Unengaged with business or care; unemployed; unoccupied; disengaged; free; as, vacant hours. [1913 Webster]

Religion is the interest of all; but philosophy of those . . . at leisure, and vacant from the affairs of the world. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]

There was not a minute of the day which he left vacant. --Bp. Fell. [1913 Webster]

3. Not filled or occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer; unoccupied; as, a vacant throne; a vacant house; a vacant apartment; a vacant parish. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Special dignities which vacant lie For thy best use and wearing. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Empty of thought; thoughtless; not occupied with study or reflection; as, a vacant mind. [1913 Webster]

The duke had a pleasant and vacant face. --Sir H. Wotton. [1913 Webster]

When on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]

5. (Law) Abandoned; having no heir, possessor, claimant, or occupier; as, a vacant estate. --Bouvier. [1913 Webster]

{Vacant succession} (Law), one that is claimed by no person, or where all the heirs are unknown, or where all the known heirs to it have renounced it. --Burrill. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Empty; void; devoid; free; unemployed; disengaged; unincumbered; uncrowded; idle.

Usage: Vacant, Empty. A thing is empty when there is nothing in it; as, an empty room, or an empty noddle. Vacant adds the idea of having been previously filled, or intended to be filled or occupied; as, a vacant seat at table; a vacant office; vacant hours. When we speak of a vacant look or a vacant mind, we imply the absence of the intelligence naturally to be expected there. [1913 Webster]