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.
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Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form.
Shak.
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Being of those virtues vacant.
Shak.
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There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended,
But has one vacant chair.
Longfellow.
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2. Unengaged with business or care; unemployed; unoccupied; disengaged; free; as, vacant hours.
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Religion is the interest of all; but philosophy of those . . . at leisure, and vacant from the affairs of the world.
Dr. H. More.
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There was not a minute of the day which he left vacant.
Bp. Fell.
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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.
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4. Empty of thought; thoughtless; not occupied with study or reflection; as, a vacant mind.
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The duke had a pleasant and vacant face.
Sir H. Wotton.
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When on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood.
Wordsworth.
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5. (Law) Abandoned; having no heir, possessor, claimant, or occupier; as, a vacant estate. Bouvier.
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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.
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Syn. -- Empty; void; devoid; free; unemployed; disengaged; unincumbered; uncrowded; idle. -- 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]

 

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Sat 06th September 2008