Emp·ty a. [Compar. Emptier superl. Emptiest.]
1. Containing nothing; not holding or having anything within; void of contents or appropriate contents; not filled; -- said of an inclosure, or a container, 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.
Note: ☞ 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.
Syn: -- See Vacant.
Emp·ti·er, compar. of Empty.
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Emp·ti·er n. One who, or that which, empties.
empty
adj 1: holding or containing nothing; "an empty glass"; "an empty
room"; "full of empty seats"; "empty hours" [ant: full]
2: devoid of significance or point; "empty promises"; "a hollow
victory"; "vacuous comments" [syn: hollow, vacuous]
3: having nothing inside; "an empty sphere"
4: needing nourishment; "after skipped lunch the men were empty
by suppertime"; "empty-bellied children" [syn: empty-bellied]
5: emptied of emotion; "after the violent argument he felt
empty"
n : a container that has been emptied; "return all empties to
the store"
v 1: make void or empty of contents; "Empty the box"; "The alarm
emptied the building" [ant: fill]
2: become empty or void of its content; "The room emptied"
[syn: discharge] [ant: fill]
3: leave behind empty; move out of; "You must vacate your
office by tonight" [syn: vacate, abandon]
4: remove; "Empty the water"
5: excrete or discharge from the body [syn: evacuate, void]
[also: emptied, emptiest, emptier]