Empty

Emp"ty, v. i. 1. To discharge itself; as, a river empties into the ocean.

2. To become empty. "The chapel empties." B. Jonson.

Emp"ty (?), n.; pl. Empties (?). An empty box, crate, cask, etc.; -- used in commerce, esp. in transportation of freight; as, "special rates for empties."

Emp"ty (?; 215), a. [Compar. Emptier (?); superl. Emptiest.] [AS. emtig, æmtig, æmetig, fr. æmta, æmetta, quiet, leisure, rest; of uncertain origin; cf. G. emsig busy.] 1. Containing nothing; not holding or having anything within; void of contents or appropriate contents; not filled; -- said of an inclosure, as a box, room, house, etc.; as, an empty chest, room, purse, or pitcher; an empty stomach; empty shackles.

2. Free; clear; devoid; -- often with of. "That fair female troop . . . empty of all good." Milton.

I shall find you empty of that fault.

3. Having nothing to carry; unburdened. "An empty messenger." Shak.

When ye go ye shall not go empty.

4. Destitute of effect, sincerity, or sense; -- said of language; as, empty words, or threats.

Words are but empty thanks.

5. Unable to satisfy; unsatisfactory; hollow; vain; -- said of pleasure, the world, etc.

Pleas'd in the silent shade with empty praise.

6. Producing nothing; unfruitful; -- said of a plant or tree; as, an empty vine.

Seven empty ears blasted with the east wind.

7. Destitute of, or lacking, sense, knowledge, or courtesy; as, empty brains; an empty coxcomb.

That in civility thou seem'st so empty.

8. Destitute of reality, or real existence; unsubstantial; as, empty dreams.

☞ Empty is used as the first element in a compound; as, empty-handed, having nothing in the hands, destitute; empty-headed, having few ideas; empty-hearted, destitute of feeling.

Syn. -- See Vacant.

Emp"ty, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Emptied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Emptying.] To deprive of the contents; to exhaust; to make void or destitute; to make vacant; to pour out; to discharge; as, to empty a vessel; to empty a well or a cistern.

The clouds . . . empty themselves upon the earth.