ˈemptɪ adj.,
v., & n. --adj. (emptier, emptiest) 1 containing
nothing. 2 (of a
house etc.)
unoccupied or
unfurnished. 3 (of a
transport vehicle etc.)
without a
load, passengers, etc. 4 a
meaningless,
hollow,
insincere (empty threats; an empty gesture). b without
substance or
purpose (an empty existence). 5 colloq.
hungry. 6 (foll. by of)
devoid,
lacking. --v. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. a
make empty;
remove the contents
of. b (foll. by of)
deprive of
certain contents (emptied the
room of
its chairs). 2 tr. (often foll. by into)
transfer (the contents of a container). 3 intr.
become empty. 4 intr. (usu. foll. by into) (of a river)
discharge itself (into the
sea etc.). --n. (pl. -ies) colloq. a
container (esp. a bottle) left empty of its contents. øempty-handed 1 bringing or
taking nothing. 2 having achieved or obtained nothing. empty-headed
foolish; lacking
common sense. empty-nester US
either of a
couple whose children have grown up
and left
home. on an empty
stomach see STOMACH. øøemptily adv. emptiness n. [OE ómtig, ómetig f. ómetta leisure]
