Obs. [f. L. vacuāt-, ppl. stem of vacuāre (hence It. vacuare) to empty, clear, free, f. vacuus: see VACUUM.]

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  1.  trans. a. To clear out; = EVACUATE v. 5.

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1572.  J. Jones, Buckstones Bathes Benefyte, 15 b. Galen willeth to vacuat, clense, or empty, that which is euill.

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1607.  Walkington, Opt. Glass, 49. That so the superfluous humidity of his stomach may be vacuated.

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1657.  Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 165. Senny, Rhabarb … vacuate flegm also.

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1760.  Ann. Reg., I. 158/2. We have … portable ventilators which are continually employed in vacuating the foul air from our hold.

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  b.  To empty; = EVACUATE v. I.

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1651.  Wittie, trans. Primrose’s Pop. Err., IV. vi. 239. If he that hath been once abundantly vacuated, must necessarily relapse into the same disease.

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1684.  trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., III. 84. When the Heart-burn is violent, we must not vacuate the whole Body.

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1765.  Phil. Trans., LV. 84. Its so well vacuated by boiling the quicksilver in the tube, that I depend on its being luminous after being carried so far.

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  2.  To annul, cancel, abrogate, set aside; = EVACUATE v. 4.

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1654.  Gayton, Pleas. Notes, III. x. 129. Toboso too was flesh and blood; and how If some great Prince should vacuate her vow?

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1681.  Hickeringill, Black Non-Conf., xiii. Wks. 1716, II. 104. Which Law vacuates and makes null and void all Laws of Man, ipso facto, that are made to the contrary.

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1709.  Mrs. Manley, Secret Mem. (1720), II. 234. There can be no Laws contrived … but what they can vacuate.

14

  Hence † Vacuating vbl. sb. Obs.

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1684.  Col. Rec. Pennsylv., I. 125. They may act Eregularly, to ye Vacuating and Insecurity of such acts and Judgments of ye said Courts.

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