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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
VA'CANT, a. [L. vacans.]
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, 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. Not filled or occupied by an incumbent,
possessor, or officer; as, a vacant throne; a vacant
parish.
Special dignities which vacant lie 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 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. -- 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. | ||||||||