\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.