empty-handed vs empty

empty-handed is not a noun while empty is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
empty-handed	No	Yes	No	No
empty	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

empty-handed (noun)	empty (noun)
	a container that has been emptied

empty-handed (adjective)	empty (adjective)
carrying nothing in the hands	holding or containing nothing
having acquired or gained nothing	emptied of emotion
	needing nourishment
	devoid of significance or force

empty-handed (verb)	empty (verb)
	excrete or discharge from the body
	become empty or void of its content
	make void or empty of contents
	remove the contents of a container
	leave behind empty; move out of