[va.cant] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L vacant-, vacans, prp. of vacare to be empty, be free] (14c) 1: not occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer "a ~ office" "~ thrones"
2: being without content or occupant "a ~ seat in a bus" "a ~ room"
3: free from activity or work: disengaged "~ hours"
4: devoid of thought, reflection, or expression "a ~ smile"
5: not lived in "~ houses"
6. a: not put to use "~ land" b: having no heir or claimant: abandoned "a ~ estate" syn see empty -- va.cant.ly adv -- va.cant.ness n