Emily Dickinson Lexicon

E-VAC'U-ATE, 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. Hooker.
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 mounted the city of New York, Nov. 25, 1783.
5. To make void; to nullify; as, to evacuate a marriage or any contract. [In this sense, vacate is now generally used.]