vent

¹

[ vent ]

noun

1. an opening, as in a wall, serving as an outlet for air, smoke, fumes, or the like.
2. an opening at the earth's surface from which volcanic material, as lava, steam, or gas, is emitted.
3. Zoology. the anal or excretory opening of animals, especially of those below mammals, as birds and reptiles.
4. the small opening at the breech of a gun by which fire is communicated to the charge.
5. a means of exit or escape; an outlet, as from confinement.
6. expression; utterance; release:

   to give vent to one's emotions.

7. Obsolete. the act or fact of venting; emission or discharge.

verb (used with object)

1. to give free play or expression to (an emotion, passion, etc.):

   to vent rage.

2. to give public utterance to:

   to vent one's opinions.

3. to relieve by giving expression to something:

   He vented his disappointment by criticizing his successor.

4. to release or discharge (liquid, smoke, etc.).
5. to furnish or provide with a vent or vents.

verb (used without object)

1. to be relieved of pressure or discharged by means of a vent.
2. (of an otter or other animal) to rise to the surface of the water to breathe.

vent

²

[ vent ]

noun

1. a slit in the back or side of a coat, jacket, or other garment, at the bottom part of a seam.

vent

¹

/ vɛnt /

noun

1. a small opening for the passage or escape of fumes, liquids, etc
2. the shaft of a volcano or an aperture in the earth's crust through which lava and gases erupt
3. the external opening of the urinary or genital systems of lower vertebrates
4. a small aperture at the breech of old guns through which the charge was ignited
5. an exit, escape, or passage
6. give vent to
   give vent to to release (an emotion, passion, idea, etc) in an utterance or outburst

verb

1. to release or give expression or utterance to (an emotion, idea, etc)

   he vents his anger on his wife

2. to provide a vent for or make vents in
3. to let out (steam, liquid, etc) through a vent

vent

²

/ vɛnt /

noun

1. a vertical slit at the back or both sides of a jacket

verb

1. tr to make a vent or vents in (a jacket)

Derived Forms

• ˈventless, adjective
• ˈventer, noun

Other Words From

• ventless adjective
• un·vented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb venten “to furnish (a vessel) with a vent,” by shortening of Old French esventer (equivalent to es- + -venter, verbal derivative of vent, from Latin ventus “wind”), in later use derivative of the English noun; the noun derives partly from French vent, partly by shortening of French évent ( Old French esvent, derivative of esventer ), and partly derivative of the English verb; ex- ¹, wind ¹

Origin of vent²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English vent(e); replacing Middle English fente, from Old French or Middle French, derivative of fendre “to slit,” from Latin findere “to split”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vent¹

C14: from Old French esventer to blow out, from ex- ¹+ venter, from Vulgar Latin ventāre (unattested) to be windy, from Latin ventus wind

Origin of vent²

C15: from Old French fente slit, from fendre to split, from Latin findere to cleave

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with vent , also see give vent to .

Example Sentences

At the bottom of this ocean world it is conceivable that we might find hydrothermal vents and ocean floor volcanoes.

From Singularity Hub 

Other scientists, however, place the starting point for Earth’s life underwater, at the deep hydrothermal vents where heated, mineral-rich water billows from cracks in the ocean floor.

From Science News

There are numerous alternative hypotheses for where life began, beyond terrestrial hot springs and deep-sea vents.

From Science News

It’s likely home to a subsurface ocean of liquid water, kept warm through tidal forces, and although Europa would still be a very extreme world, it could host life in the same ways as hydrothermal vents deep in Earth’s oceans.

From MIT Technology Review

That creates steam that quickly rises and spews through the vent.

From Science News For Students

But now everything was a good pretext to vent the rebellious mood.

From The Daily Beast

Brown, meanwhile, took to Twitter to vent his frustration over the incident: And trouble seems to follow Knight wherever he goes.

From The Daily Beast

In the midst of riots in Ferguson, Missouri, some residents took to secret-sharing app Whisper to vent.

From The Daily Beast

British model takes to Twitter to vent frustrations with aggressive photographers.

From The Daily Beast

Droves of attendees streamed inside to vent their emotions over the course of several days.

From The Daily Beast

As night began to settle down over the land, the Queen Elizabeth seemed to feel the time had come to give full vent to her wrath.

From Project Gutenberg

Le lendemain matin, un coup de vent l'emporta tout seul dehors de la chaloupe dans les vagues, et jamais depuis, n'est apparu.

From Project Gutenberg

The injured and indignant animal gave vent to a succession of eldritch screams.

From Project Gutenberg

The good man was merely giving vent to his delight at being under canvas.

From Project Gutenberg

From time to time Lockhart gave vent to a grim laugh, and Spivin displayed his feelings in a too-amiable smile.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• emit
• pour out
• unleash
• utter
• ventilate