empty
UK[ˈɛm(p)ti]US[ˈɛm(p)ti]
adj
containing nothing; having no people or things inside
adj
(of words, threats, or actions) having no real meaning or value; not sincere
adj
(of a person, or their life) unhappy because life seems to have no purpose
v
to remove everything that is in a container, place, or space
Etymology
The modern word 'empty' traces its lineage directly to the Old English 'ǣmettig', which originally signified 'at leisure' or 'unoccupied'. This term itself was formed from 'ǣmetta', meaning 'leisure', combined with the adjectival suffix '-ig'. The semantic evolution is a clear and logical progression from the concept of a person being free from work or occupation, to a space or container being free from contents. Over centuries, the meaning broadened and specialized, shifting its primary focus from human idleness to the state of physical and later metaphorical voidness, while the phonetic form simplified to its current spelling and pronunciation.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form. It derives from the Old English adjective 'ǣmettig', meaning 'at leisure, unoccupied'. Its functional role is as a complete lexical root.
Examples
She poured the last drops from the empty bottle.
His promises were just empty words, with no intention behind them.
After the children moved out, the house felt strangely empty.