What is "vacant succession"

Vacant \Va"cant\, a. [F., fr. L. vacans, -antis, p. pr. of vacare to be empty, to be free or unoccupied, to have leisure, also vocare; akin to vacuus empty, and probably to E. void. Cf. Evacuate, Void, a.]

1. Deprived of contents; not filled; empty; as, a vacant room.

   Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form.
   --Shak.

   Being of those virtues vacant.
   --Shak.

   There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, But has one vacant chair.
   --Longfellow.

2. Unengaged with business or care; unemployed; unoccupied; disengaged; free; as, vacant hours.

   Religion is the interest of all; but philosophy of those . . . at leisure, and vacant from the affairs of the world.
   --Dr. H. More.

   There was not a minute of the day which he left vacant.
   --Bp. Fell.

3. Not filled or occupied by an incumbent, possessor, or officer; unoccupied; as, a vacant throne; a vacant house; a vacant apartment; a vacant parish.

   Special dignities which vacant lie For thy best use and wearing.
   --Shak.

4. Empty of thought; thoughtless; not occupied with study or reflection; as, a vacant mind.

   The duke had a pleasant and vacant face.
   --Sir H. Wotton.

   When on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood.
   --Wordsworth.

5. (Law) Abandoned; having no heir, possessor, claimant, or occupier; as, a vacant estate.
   --Bouvier.

   Vacant succession (Law), one that is claimed by no person, or where all the heirs are unknown, or where all the known heirs to it have renounced it.
   --Burrill.

   Syn: Empty; void; devoid; free; unemployed; disengaged; unincumbered; uncrowded; idle.

   Usage: Vacant, Empty. A thing is empty when there is nothing in it; as, an empty room, or an empty noddle. Vacant adds the idea of having been previously filled, or intended to be filled or occupied; as, a vacant seat at table; a vacant office; vacant hours. When we speak of a vacant look or a vacant mind, we imply the absence of the intelligence naturally to be expected there.