EVAC'UATE, v.t. [L. evacuo; e and vacuus, from vaco, to empty. See Vacant.] 1. To make empty; to free from any thing contained; as, to evacuate the church.2. To throw out; to eject; to void; to discharge; as, to evacuate dark-colored matter from the bowels. Hence,3. To empty; to free from contents, or to diminish the quantity contained; as, to evacuate the bowels; to evacuate the vessels by bleeding.4. To quit; to withdraw from a place. The British army evacuated the city of New York, November 25,1783.5. To make void; to nullify; as, to evacuate a marriage or any contract. [In this sense, vacate is now generally used.]
|