Văc'ū-ŭm, n.

n. [Lat., from vacuus. See supra.] Space empty or devoid of all matter or body; as, the Peripatetics assert that nature abhors a vacuum.

The question was formerly much controverted whether there is, or can be, an absolute vacuum in nature.

Torricellian vacuum. (Physics.) See TORRICELLIAN.

— Vacuum gauge (Steam-eng.), an instrument resembling a steam-gauge in construction, for measuring the unbalanced pressure of the atmosphere upon condensers, &c. — Vacuum-pan (Sugar Manuf.), a closed vessel heated by steam, in which sirup is evaporated at a lower temperature than the ordinary boiling-point, in consequence of a partial vacuum produced in the vessel by the condenser.