EMPTY


Meaning of EMPTY in English

I. ˈem(p)-tē adjective

( emp·ti·er ; -est )

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ǣmettig unoccupied, from ǣmetta leisure, perhaps from ǣ- without + -metta (probably akin to mōtan to have to) — more at must

Date: before 12th century

1.

a. : containing nothing

empty shelves

b. : not occupied or inhabited

an empty building

c. : unfrequented

d. : not pregnant

empty heifer

e. : null 4a

the empty set

2.

a. : lacking reality, substance, meaning, or value : hollow

an empty pleasure

b. : destitute of effect or force

an empty threat

c. : devoid of sense : foolish

3. : hungry

4.

a. : idle

empty hours

b. : having no purpose or result : useless

5. : marked by the absence of human life, activity, or comfort

an empty silence

• emp·ti·ly -tə-lē adverb

• emp·ti·ness -tē-nəs noun

Synonyms:

empty , vacant , blank , void , vacuous mean lacking contents which could or should be present. empty suggests a complete absence of contents

an empty bucket

vacant suggests an absence of appropriate contents or occupants

a vacant apartment

blank stresses the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible features on a surface

a blank wall

void suggests absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine

a statement void of meaning

vacuous suggests the emptiness of a vacuum and especially the lack of intelligence or significance

a vacuous facial expression

Synonym: see in addition vain .

II. verb

( emp·tied ; emp·ty·ing )

Date: 1548

transitive verb

1.

a. : to make empty : remove the contents of

empty a purse

b. : deprive , divest

a phrase emptied of all meaning

c. : to discharge (itself) of contents

d. : to fire (a repeating firearm) until empty

2. : to remove from what holds or encloses

empty the grain from sacks

intransitive verb

1. : to become empty

the theater emptied quickly

2. : to discharge contents

the river empties into the ocean

III. noun

( plural emp·ties )

Date: 1865

: something (as a bottle or can) that is empty

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.