Synonyms for emptying


Grammar : Verb
Spell : emp-tee
Phonetic Transcription : ˈɛmp ti

Top 10 synonyms for emptying Other synonyms for the word emptying

Définition of emptying

Origin :
  • c.1200, from Old English æmettig "at leisure, not occupied, unmarried," from æmetta "leisure," from æ "not" + -metta, from motan "to have" (see might (n.)). The -p- is a euphonic insertion.
  • Sense evolution from "at leisure" to "empty" is paralleled in several languages, e.g. Modern Greek adeios "empty," originally "freedom from fear," from deios "fear." "The adj. adeios must have been applied first to persons who enjoyed freedom from duties, leisure, and so were unoccupied, whence it was extended to objects that were unoccupied" [Buck].
  • The adjective also yielded a verb (1520s), replacing Middle English empten, from Old English geæmtigian. Related: Emptied; emptying. Figurative sense of empty-nester first attested 1987. Empty-handed attested from 1610s.
  • verb remove contents
Example sentences :
  • Orderlies were going about, carrying out linens, emptying pans.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • Jack Bates looked up from emptying the third spoon of sugar into his coffee.
  • Extract from : « Chip, of the Flying U » by B. M. Bower
  • Chip and I don't set up nights emptying our brains out our mouths.
  • Extract from : « Chip, of the Flying U » by B. M. Bower
  • She then went away, at her friend's entreaty, after emptying her purse in my nurse's hands.
  • Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt
  • One morning Gervaise surprised her emptying a basket of oyster shells there.
  • Extract from : « L'Assommoir » by Emile Zola
  • The supper-room was emptying, but neither could decide to stand up and say good-bye.
  • Extract from : « The Education of Eric Lane » by Stephen McKenna
  • People were rising or stirring everywhere, and the house was emptying fast.
  • Extract from : « The Christian » by Hall Caine
  • In a moment the very heavens seemed to be emptying their reservoirs.
  • Extract from : « The Golden Woman » by Ridgwell Cullum
  • She kneels and opens the drawer, emptying the papers on the floor.
  • Extract from : « Erdgeist (Earth-Spirit) » by Frank Wedekind
  • The lady took the box and opened it, emptying the contents on her lap.
  • Extract from : « Harper's Young People, September 28, 1880 » by Various

Antonyms for emptying

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019