in Philosophy, denotes a space devoid of all matter or body.

It has been greatly disputed whether there be in na- ture a perfect vacuum, or space void of all matter; but if bodies consist of material solid atoms, it is evident that there must be vacuities, or motion would be im- possible (see Metaphysics, No. 193.). We can even produce something very near a vacuum in the receiver of an air-pump and in the Torricellian tube (see Pneu- matics, p. 23).