Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Empty

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. I shall find you empty of that fault. (Shak)

3. Having nothing to carry; unburdened. An empty messenger. 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.

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.

Synonym: see Vacan 426 t.

Origin: as. Emtig, aemtig, aemetig, fr. Aemta, aemetta, quiet, leisure, rest; of uncertain origin; cf. G. Emsig busy.