Empty — Defs

01 a. Containing nothing; not holding or having anything within; void of contents or appropriate contents; not filled; -- said of an inclosure, o…

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.
“I shall find you empty of that fault.” — Shak.
3.
Having nothing to carry; unburdened.
“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.

Syn. See Vacant.

02 n. An empty box, crate, cask, etc.; -- used in commerce, esp. in transportation of freight; as, “special rates for empties.”

pl. Empties

1.
An empty box, crate, cask, etc.; -- used in commerce, esp. in transportation of freight; as, “special rates for empties.”

03 v. t. To deprive of the contents; to exhaust; to make void or destitute; to make vacant; to pour out; to discharge; as, to empty a vessel; to emp…

imp. & p. p. Emptied; p. pr. & vb. n. Emptying

1.
To deprive of the contents; to exhaust; to make void or destitute; to make vacant; to pour out; to discharge; as, to empty a vessel; to empty a well or a cistern.
“The clouds . . . empty themselves upon the earth.” — Eccl. xi. 3.

04 v. i. To discharge itself; as, a river empties into the ocean.