empties

Variant of empty

empty definition

empty (emp′tē)

adjective emptier -·tier, emptiest -·ti·est

  1. containing nothing; having nothing in it
  2. having no one in it; unoccupied; vacant an empty house
  3. carrying or bearing nothing; bare
  4. having no worth or purpose; useless or unsatisfying empty pleasure
  5. without meaning or force; insincere; vain empty promises
  6. Informal hungry

Etymology: ME emti & (with intrusive -p-) empti < OE æmettig, unoccupied, lit., at leisure < æmetta, leisure (< æ-, without + base of motan, to have to: see must) + -ig, -y

transitive verb emptied -·tied, emptying -·ty·ing

  1. to make empty
    1. to pour out or remove (the contents) of something
    2. to transfer (the contents) into, onto, or on something else
  3. to unburden or discharge (oneself or itself)

intransitive verb

  1. to become empty
  2. to pour out; discharge the river empties into the sea

noun pl. empties -·ties

an empty freight car, truck, bottle, etc.

Related Forms:

empty Idioms

empty of

lacking; without; devoid of

run on empty

to be at a level of energy, creativity, etc. that is inadequate to sustain worthwhile activity or achievement

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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