GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Found one definition
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Vacant (?), 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.]
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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”.
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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.
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