Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.] 1. Deprived of contents; not filled; empty; as, a vacant room. Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form. --Shak. Being of those virtues vacant. --Shak. There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, But has one vacant chair. --Longfellow. 2. Unengaged with business or care; unemployed; unoccupied; disengaged; free; as, vacant hours. Religion is the interest of all; but philosophy of those . . . at leisure, and vacant from the affairs of the world. --Dr. H. More. There was not a minute of the day which he left vacant. --Bp. Fell. 3. Not filled or occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer; as, a vacant throne; a vacant parish. Special dignities which vacant lie For thy best use and wearing. --Shak. 4. Empty of thought; thoughtless; not occupied with study or reflection; as, a vacant mind. The duke had a pleasant and vacant face. --Sir H. Wotton. When on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood. --Wordsworth. 5. (Law) Abandoned; having no heir, possessor, claimant, or occupier; as, a vacant estate. --Bouvier. {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. 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.