Vacuous
(Vac"u*ous) a. [L. vacuus. See Vacant.] Empty; unfilled; void; vacant.
Boundless the deep, because I am who fill
Infinitude; nor vacuous the space.
Milton.
That the few may lead selfish and vacuous days.
J. Morley. Vacuousness
(Vac"u*ous*ness), n. The quality or state of being vacuous; emptiness; vacuity. W. Montagu.
Vacuum
(Vac"u*um) n.; pl. E. Vacuums L. Vacua [L., fr. vacuus empty. See Vacuous.]
1. (Physics) A space entirely devoid of matter (called also, by way of distinction, absolute vacuum); hence,
in a more general sense, a space, as the interior of a closed vessel, which has been exhausted to a
high or the highest degree by an air pump or other artificial means; as, water boils at a reduced temperature
in a vacuum.
2. The condition of rarefaction, or reduction of pressure below that of the atmosphere, in a vessel, as
the condenser of a steam engine, which is nearly exhausted of air or steam, etc.; as, a vacuum of 26
inches of mercury, or 13 pounds per square inch.
Vacuum brake, a kind of continuous brake operated by exhausting the air from some appliance under
each car, and so causing the pressure of the atmosphere to apply the brakes. — Vacuum pan (Technol.),
a kind of large closed metallic retort used in sugar making for boiling down sirup. It is so connected
with an exhausting apparatus that a partial vacuum is formed within. This allows the evaporation and
concentration to take place at a lower atmospheric pressure and hence also at a lower temperature,
which largely obviates the danger of burning the sugar, and shortens the process. — Vacuum pump.
Same as Pulsometer, 1. — Vacuum tube (Phys.), a glass tube provided with platinum electrodes
and exhausted, for the passage of the electrical discharge; a Geissler tube. — Vacuum valve, a safety
valve opening inward to admit air to a vessel in which the pressure is less than that of the atmosphere,
in order to prevent collapse. — Torricellian vacuum. See under Torricellian.
Vadantes
(||Va*dan"tes) n. pl. [NL., from L. vadans, p. pr. of vadare to wade, to ford.] (Zoöl.) An
extensive artificial group of birds including the wading, swimming, and cursorial birds.
Vade
(Vade) v. i. [For fade.] To fade; hence, to vanish. [Obs.] " Summer leaves all vaded." Shak.
They into dust shall vade.
Spenser. Vade mecum
(Va`de me"cum) [L., go with me.] A book or other thing that a person carries with him as
a constant companion; a manual; a handbook.
Vadimony
(Vad"i*mo*ny) n. [L. vadimonium.] (Law) A bond or pledge for appearance before a judge
on a certain day. [Obs.]
Vadium
(||Va"di*um) n. [LL., from L. vas, vadis, bail.] (Law) Pledge; security; bail. See Mortgage.
Vadium vivum [LL.] (Law), a living pledge, which exists where an estate is granted until a debt is paid
out of its proceeds.
Vae
(Vae) n. See Voe. [Scot.]
Vafrous
(Va"frous) a. [L. vafer.] Crafty; cunning; sly; as, vafrous tricks. [Obs.] Feltham.
Vagabond
(Vag"a*bond) a. [F., fr. L. vagabundus, from vagari to stroll about, from vagus strolling.
See Vague.]
1. Moving from place to place without a settled habitation; wandering. "Vagabond exile." Shak.
