/ vent; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
an opening that allows air, gas or liquid to pass out of or into a room, building, container, etc. :
air / heating vents
—picture at car
—compare register
2.
( technical ) the opening in the body of a bird, fish, reptile or other small animal, though which waste matter is passed out
3.
a long thin opening at the bottom of the back or side of a coat or jacket
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IDIOMS
- give (full) vent to sth
■ verb
[ vn ] vent sth (on sb) ( formal ) to express feelings, especially anger, strongly :
He vented his anger on the referee.
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 2 and verb late Middle English : partly from French vent wind, from Latin ventus , reinforced by French évent , from éventer expose to air, based on Latin ventus wind.
noun sense 3 late Middle English : alteration of dialect fent , from Old French fente slit, based on Latin findere cleave.