vent
1[ vent ]
/ vɛnt /
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to be relieved of pressure or discharged by means of a vent.
(of an otter or other animal) to rise to the surface of the water to breathe.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of vent
1First 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; noun partly from French vent, partly by shortening of French évent (Old French esvent, derivative of esventer ), and partly derivative of the English verb; see ex-1, wind1
OTHER WORDS FROM vent
ventless, adjectiveun·vent·ed, adjectiveWords nearby vent
Definition for vent (2 of 2)
vent2
[ vent ]
/ vɛnt /
noun
a slit in the back or side of a coat, jacket, or other garment, at the bottom part of a seam.
Origin of vent
21400–50; late Middle English vente; replacing Middle English fente<Middle French, derivative of fendre to slit <Latin findere to split
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for vent (1 of 2)
vent1
/ (vɛnt) /
noun
verb (mainly tr)
Derived forms of vent
venter, nounventless, adjectiveWord Origin for vent
C14: from Old French esventer to blow out, from ex- 1 + venter, from Vulgar Latin ventāre (unattested) to be windy, from Latin ventus wind
British Dictionary definitions for vent (2 of 2)
vent2
/ (vɛnt) /
noun
a vertical slit at the back or both sides of a jacket
verb
(tr) to make a vent or vents in (a jacket)
Word Origin for vent
C15: from Old French fente slit, from fendre to split, from Latin findere to cleave
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for vent
vent
[ vĕnt ]
n.
An opening into a cavity or canal, especially one through which contents are discharged.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for vent
vent
[ vĕnt ]
An opening, and the conduit leading to it, in the side or at the top of a volcano, permitting the escape of fumes, a liquid, a gas, or steam.
- The excretory opening of the digestive tract in animals such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Also called cloaca
- See cloaca.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with vent
vent
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.