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.
VACANTLY
Va"cant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a vacant manner; inanely.
VACATE
Va"cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vacated; p. pr. & vb. n. Vacating.]
Etym: [L. vacare, vacatum, to be empty. See Vacant.]
1. To make vacant; to leave empty; to cease from filling or occupying; as, it was resolved by Parliament that James had vacated the throne of England; the tenant vacated the house.
2. To annul; to make void; to deprive of force; to make of no authority or validity; as, to vacate a commission or a charter; to vacate proceedings in a cause. That after act vacating the authority of the precedent. Eikon Basilike. The necessity of observing the Jewish Sabbath was Vacated by the apostolical institution of the Lord's Day. R. Nelson.
3. To defeat; to put an end to. [R.] He vacates my revenge. Dryden.
VACATION Va*ca"tion, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. vacatio a being free from a duty, service, etc., fr. vacare. See Vacate.]
1. The act of vacating; a making void or of no force; as, the vacation of an office or a charter.
2. Intermission of a stated employment, procedure, or office; a period of intermission; rest; leisure. It was not in his nature, however, at least till years had chastened it, to take any vacation from controversy. Palfrey. Hence, specifically: -(a) (Law)