Vacant \Va"cant\, a. [F., fr. L. vacans, -antis, p. pr. of vacare to be empty, to be free or unoccupied, to have leisure, also vocare; akin to vacuus empty, and probably to E. void. Cf. Evacuate, Void, a.]

1. Deprived of contents; not filled; empty; as, a vacant room.

Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form. --Shak.

Being of those virtues vacant. --Shak.

There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, But has one vacant chair. --Longfellow.

2. Unengaged with business or care; unemployed; unoccupied; disengaged; free; as, vacant hours.

Religion is the interest of all; but philosophy of those . . . at leisure, and vacant from the affairs of the world. --Dr. H. More.

There was not a minute of the day which he left vacant. --Bp. Fell.

3. Not filled or occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer; as, a vacant throne; a vacant parish.

Special dignities which vacant lie For thy best use and wearing. --Shak.

4. Empty of thought; thoughtless; not occupied with study or reflection; as, a vacant mind.

The duke had a pleasant and vacant face. --Sir H. Wotton.

When on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood. --Wordsworth.

5. (Law) Abandoned; having no heir, possessor, claimant, or occupier; as, a vacant estate. --Bouvier.

Vacant succession (Law), one that is claimed by no person, or where all the heirs are unknown, or where all the known heirs to it have renounced it. --Burrill.

Syn: Empty; void; devoid; free; unemployed; disengaged; unincumbered; uncrowded; idle.

Usage: Vacant, Empty. A thing is empty when there is nothing in it; as, an empty room, or an empty noddle. Vacant adds the idea of having been previously filled, or intended to be filled or occupied; as, a vacant seat at table; a vacant office; vacant hours. When we speak of a vacant look or a vacant mind, we imply the absence of the intelligence naturally to be expected there.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)