Emptiness

/ˈɛmptinəs/ noun

Definition

The state of having nothing inside or lacking fullness, meaning, or content; a feeling of loneliness or meaninglessness.

Etymology

From Old English 'emtig' meaning vacant or unoccupied, with the suffix '-ness' added to form the abstract noun. The word evolved to describe both physical void and emotional loneliness.

Kelly Says

In Buddhist philosophy, 'emptiness' (sunyata) isn't negative—it actually means freedom from fixed identity and attachments. It's considered the key to enlightenment, showing how languages express the same concept with totally different spiritual meanings!

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