— vacantly , adv. — vacantness , n.
/vay"keuhnt/ , adj.
1. having no contents; empty; void: a vacant niche.
2. having no occupant; unoccupied: no vacant seats on this train.
3. not in use: a vacant room.
4. devoid of thought or reflection: a vacant mind.
5. characterized by, showing, or proceeding from lack of thought or intelligence: a vacant answer; a vacant expression on a face.
6. not occupied by an incumbent, official, or the like, as a benefice or office.
7. free from work, business, activity, etc.: vacant hours.
8. characterized by or proceeding from absence of occupation: a vacant life.
9. devoid or destitute (often fol. by of ): He was vacant of human sympathy.
10. Law.
a. having no tenant and devoid of furniture, fixtures, etc. (distinguished from unoccupied ): a vacant house.
b. idle or unutilized; open to any claimant, as land.
c. without an incumbent; having no heir or claimant; abandoned: a vacant estate.
[ 1250-1300; ME vacant- (s. of vacans, prp. of vacare to be empty); see -ANT ]
Syn. 1, 2. See empty. 5. blank, vacuous, inane.