Vā'cant, a.

a. [Fr. vacant, Sp., Pg., & It. vacante, Lat. vacans, p. pr. of vacare, to be empty, to be free from labor. See infra.]

1Sense 1. Deprived of contents; empty; not filled; as, a vacant room; a vacant receiver. “Stuffs out his vacant garments.” Shak. “Being of those virtues vacant.” Shak.

2Sense 2. Hence, unengaged with business or care; unemployed; unoccupied; unincumbered; free; as, vacant hours.

Philosophy is the interest of those only who are vacant from the affairs of the world. More.

There was not a minute of the day which he left vacant. Fell.

3Sense 3. Not filled or occupied with an incumbent, possessor, or officer; as, a vacant throne; a vacant parish.

Special dignities which vacant lie For thy best use. Shak.

4Sense 4. Empty of thought; thoughtless; not occupied with study or reflection; as, a vacant mind.

The duke had a pleasant and vacant face. Wotton.

5Sense 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.

Synonyms—Empty; void; devoid; free; 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 a thing’s having been previously filled, or intended to be filled or occupied; as, a vacant seat at the table; a vacant space between houses; vacant hours, &c. When we speak of a vacant look or a vacant mind, we imply that the thought naturally to be expected has vacated its proper place or office.

Cold is the hearth within their bowers; And should we thither roam, Its echoes and its empty tread Would sound like voices from the dead. Campbell.