empty

a. [ Compar. Emptier superl. Emptiest. ] [ AS. emtig, æmtig, æmetig, fr. æmta, æmetta, quiet, leisure, rest; of uncertain origin; cf. G. emsig busy. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Free; clear; devoid; -- often with of. “That fair female troop . . . empty of all good.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

I shall find you empty of that fault. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Having nothing to carry; unburdened. “An empty messenger.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

When ye go ye shall not go empty. Ex. iii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Destitute of effect, sincerity, or sense; -- said of language; as, empty words, or threats. [ 1913 Webster ]

Words are but empty thanks. Cibber. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Unable to satisfy; unsatisfactory; hollow; vain; -- said of pleasure, the world, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pleas'd in the silent shade with empty praise. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Producing nothing; unfruitful; -- said of a plant or tree; as, an empty vine. [ 1913 Webster ]

Seven empty ears blasted with the east wind. Gen. xli. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Destitute of, or lacking, sense, knowledge, or courtesy; as, empty brains; an empty coxcomb. [ 1913 Webster ]

That in civility thou seem'st so empty. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Destitute of reality, or real existence; unsubstantial; as, empty dreams. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Empties An empty box, crate, cask, etc.; -- used in commerce, esp. in transportation of freight; as, “special rates for empties.” [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Emptied p. pr. & vb. n. Emptying. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The clouds . . . empty themselves upon the earth. Eccl. xi. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To discharge itself; as, a river empties into the ocean. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To become empty. “The chapel empties.” B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. needing nourishment; hungry; as, empty-bellied children. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. having acquired or gained nothing; as, the returned from the negotiations empty-handed.
Syn. -- unrewarded. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. carrying nothing in the hands. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. lacking seriousness; given to frivolity.
Syn. -- airheaded, dizzy, featherbrained, giddy, lightheaded, light-headed, silly. [ WordNet 1.5 ]