vent
vent (vent)
noun
- Rare the action of escaping or passing out, or the means or opportunity to do this; issue; outlet
- expression; release giving vent to emotion
- a small hole or opening to permit passage or escape, as of a gas
- ☆ 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
- in early guns, the small hole at the breech through which a spark passes to set off the charge
- the opening in a volcano from which gas and molten rock erupt
- 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
- to make a vent in or provide a vent for
- to allow (steam, gas, etc.) to escape through an opening
- to give release or expression to
- to relieve or unburden by giving vent to feelings to vent oneself in curses
vent (vent)
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
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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vent as a verb in def.4 is also used intransitively
Posted by anonymous 80 days ago.