noun

1. Rare the action of escaping or passing out, or the means or opportunity to do this; issue; outlet
2. expression; release giving vent to emotion
3. 1. a small hole or opening to permit passage or escape, as of a gas
   2. ☆ a small triangular window or, now esp., an opening on or beneath the dashboard, for letting air into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle
4. in early guns, the small hole at the breech through which a spark passes to set off the charge
5. the opening in a volcano from which gas and molten rock erupt
6. Zool. the excretory opening in animals; esp., the external opening of the cloaca in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes

Etymology: ME venten < OFr venter, to blow (or aphetic < OFr esventer, to expose to the air, let out < es-, out + venter) < VL *ventare < L ventus, wind

transitive verb

1. to make a vent in or provide a vent for
2. to allow (steam, gas, etc.) to escape through an opening
3. to give release or expression to
4. to relieve or unburden by giving vent to feelings to vent oneself in curses

noun

Etymology: ME vent, altered (infl. by vent) < fente < OFr < VL *findita, fem. pp., for L fissus, pp. of findere, to split: see fission

transitive verb