empty-handed: Meaning and Definition of

emp•ty-hand•ed

Pronunciation: (emp'tē-han'did), [key]
— adj.
  1. having nothing in the hands, as in doing no work: While we were carrying out the luggage, he stood by empty-handed.
  2. having gained nothing: to return from a quest empty-handed.
  3. bringing no gift, donation, etc.: They came to the birthday party empty-handed.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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