empty-handed
[ emp-tee-han-did ]
/ ˈɛmp tiˈhæn dɪd /
adjective
having nothing in the hands, as in doing no work: While we were carrying out the luggage, he stood by empty-handed.
having gained nothing: to return from a quest empty-handed.
bringing no gift, donation, etc.: They came to the birthday party empty-handed.
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Origin of empty-handed
First recorded in 1605–15
Words nearby empty-handed
empty nest, empty nester, empty set, empty suit, empty word, empty-handed, empty-headed, empty-nest syndrome, empty-nester, empurple, empyema
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for empty-handed
British Dictionary definitions for empty-handed
empty-handed
adjective
carrying nothing in the hands
having gained nothingthey returned from the negotiations empty-handed
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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