/ven"tayl/ , n.
1. the pivoted middle element of a face defense of a close helmet. See diag. under close helmet .
2. a flap of mail attached to a coif and fastened across the lower part of the face during combat.
Also, aventail .
[ 1300-50; ME ventaille, equiv. to vent ( ventus WIND 1 ) + -aille -AL 2 ]