Vacant (?), 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.][1913 Webster]
1. Deprived of contents; not filled; empty; as, a vacant room.[1913 Webster]
Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form.
Being of those virtues vacant.
There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended,But has one vacant chair.
2. Unengaged with business or care; unemployed; unoccupied; disengaged; free; as, vacant hours.[1913 Webster]
Religion is the interest of all; but philosophy of those . . . at leisure, and vacant from the affairs of the world.
There was not a minute of the day which he left vacant.
3. Not filled or occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer; unoccupied; as, a vacant throne; a vacant house; a vacant apartment; a vacant parish.[1913 Webster +PJC]
Special dignities which vacant lieFor thy best use and wearing.
4. Empty of thought; thoughtless; not occupied with study or reflection; as, a vacant mind.[1913 Webster]
The duke had a pleasant and vacant face.
When on my couch I lieIn vacant or in pensive mood.
5. (Law) Abandoned; having no heir, possessor, claimant, or occupier; as, a vacant estate. Bouvier.[1913 Webster]
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.[1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Empty; void; devoid; free; unemployed; disengaged; unincumbered; uncrowded; idle. -- 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.[1913 Webster]