I. ˈvent verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English venten, probably from Middle French eventer, esventer, from e-, es-, out, forth (from Latin ex- ex- (I)) + venter to blow, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin ventare to blow, be windy, from Latin ventus wind — more at wind
transitive verb
1. : to provide with an opening for the discharge of gases or the relief of pressure
vent a plumbing system
: equip with a vent or venting
2.
a. : to serve as a vent for
tall chimneys vented the smoke
b.
(1) : to cause to flow or drain away : cast out : expel
venting off the excess fluid through a series of conduits
(2) archaic : to eject from the body : evacuate
c.
(1) : to give expression to : release by expressing : loose
vented his fury on the hapless dog
(2) : to give utterance to : make public
venting his grievance before them all
3. : to relieve by venting
some could vent themselves in grief
a valve to vent the pressure in the boiler
intransitive verb
1. : to issue forth by or as if by a vent : go away or out through a vent
2. : to come to the surface to breathe — used especially of an otter
3.
a. : to have a vent (as for the escape of gases)
an old-fashioned toilet venting through the chimney
b. chiefly Scotland : to have draft : draw
the chimney vents well
Synonyms: see emit , express
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English vente, alteration (probably influenced by Middle French vent wind, from Latin ventus ) of fente, fent, from Middle French fente slit, fissure, from fendre to split, from Latin findere — more at bite
: a slit in a garment ; specifically : an opening in the lower part of a seam (as of a jacket, coat, skirt, or sleeve)
III. verb
Etymology: Middle English venten, from Middle French vente sale — more at vent V
archaic : vend , sell
IV. noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: partly from vent (I) & partly from Middle French event, esvent opening, vent, from eventer, esventer to blow out, vent — more at vent I
1. obsolete : the act or fact of emitting something (as words)
2.
a. : an opportunity or way of escape or passage : outlet
the gases found vent through fissures in the rock
his writing gives vent to his unused talents
b. : an opening or hole for the escape or passage of something (as of a gas or liquid) or for the relief of pressure within something (as a boiler)
the vent of a cask
a hot-water system with a relief tank as vent
as
(1) : the external opening of the rectum or cloaca : anus — used especially of a nonmammalian vertebrate (as a fish or bird)
(2) : pipe 3b(3), fumarole
(3) : an opening at the breech of a gun through which fire is communicated to the powder (as a hole from the top of the breech to the chamber of a muzzle-loading gun or a hole in the axis of the breechlock of a breech-loading gun)
(4) chiefly Scotland : chimney , flue
(5) : an opening (as in a room or building) for ventilation especially when not such as would ordinarily be classed as a window or door
a poultry house with adjustable vents under the eaves
3. : the coming of an otter to the surface of the water in order to breathe
V. ˈvent noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French vente, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin vendita, from feminine of Latin venditus, past participle of vendere to sell — more at vend
archaic : sale: as
a. : the act of selling
b. : opportunity to sell : market
VI. noun
or vent brand “
( -s )
Etymology: Spanish venta sale, inn, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin vendita sale
West : a brand indicating the sale of the animal branded that sometimes takes the form of a special mark but is commonly a bar across the seller's brand
VII. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
West : to cancel (a brand) by a vent
VIII. abbreviation
ventilate; ventilating; ventilation; ventilator