Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Empty?

\Emp"ty\ (?; 215), a. [Compar. {Emptier}; superl. {Emptiest}.] [AS. emtig, [ae]mtig, [ae]metig, fr. [ae]mta, [ae]metta, quiet, leisure, rest; of uncertain origin; cf. G. emsig busy.] 1. Containing nothing; not holding or having anything within; void of contents or appropriate contents; not filled; -- said of an inclosure, as a box, room, house, etc.; as, an empty chest, room, purse, or pitcher; an empty stomach; empty shackles. 2. Free; clear; devoid; -- often with of. ``That fair female troop . . . empty of all good.'' --Milton. I shall find you empty of that fault. --Shak. 3. Having nothing to carry; unburdened. ``An empty messenger.'' --Shak. When ye go ye shall not go empty. --Ex. iii. 21. 4. Destitute of effect, sincerity, or sense; -- said of language; as, empty words, or threats. Words are but empty thanks. --Cibber. 5. Unable to satisfy; unsatisfactory; hollow; vain; -- said of pleasure, the world, etc. Pleas'd in the silent shade with empty praise. --Pope. 6. Producing nothing; unfruitful; -- said of a plant or tree; as, an empty vine. Seven empty ears blasted with the east wind. --Gen. xli. 27. 7. Destitute of, or lacking, sense, knowledge, or courtesy; as, empty brains; an empty coxcomb. That in civility thou seem'st so empty. --Shak. 8. Destitute of reality, or real existence; unsubstantial; as, empty dreams. Note: Empty is used as the first element in a compound; as, empty-handed, having nothing in the hands, destitute; empty-headed, having few ideas; empty-hearted, destitute of feeling. Syn: See {Vacant}.
\Emp"ty\, n.; pl. {Empties}. An empty box, crate, cask, etc.; -- used in commerce, esp. in transportation of freight; as, ``special rates for empties.''
\Emp"ty\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Emptied}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Emptying}.] To deprive of the contents; to exhaust; to make void or destitute; to make vacant; to pour out; to discharge; as, to empty a vessel; to empty a well or a cistern. The clouds . . . empty themselves upon the earth. --Eccl. xi. 3.
\Emp"ty\, v. i. 1. To discharge itself; as, a river empties into the ocean. 2. To become empty. ``The chapel empties.'' --B. Jonson.