vent

¹vent

verb \ˈvent\

Definition of VENT

transitive verb

1

: to provide with a vent

2

a : to serve as a vent for <chimneys vent smoke>

b : discharge, expel

c : to give often vigorous or emotional expression to <vented her frustration on her coworkers>

3

: to relieve by means of a vent <vented himself in a fiery letter to the editor>

intransitive verb

: to relieve oneself by venting something (as anger) <comes home from work and vents to the kids>

Examples of VENT

1. Windows should be opened to vent the fumes.
2. She vented her frustrations by kicking the car.
3. Don't vent your anger on me.
4. I screamed because I needed to vent.

Origin of VENT

Middle English, in part from ²vent, in part short for aventen to release (air), from Anglo-French aventer, alteration of Old French esventer to air, from es- ex- (from Latin ex-) + vent wind, from Latin ventus — more at wind

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VENT

Synonyms

loose, release, unleash, take out

Antonyms

bottle (up), repress, suppress

Related Words

act out; air, express, state, ventilate, voice

Near Antonyms

control, govern, handle, manage; bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, hold back, pull in, quell, rein (in), restrain, smother, tame; allay, lull, quiet, soothe, still; choke, inhibit, muffle, pocket, repress, stifle, strangle, swallow

See Synonym Discussion at express

Rhymes with VENT

bent, Brent, cent, dent, gent, Ghent, hent, Lent, pent, rent, scent, sent, spent, sprent, stent, tent, Trent

²vent

noun

Definition of VENT

1

: an opening for the escape of a gas or liquid or for the relief of pressure: as

a : the external opening of the rectum or cloaca : anus

b (1) : pipe 3c, fumarole (2) : hydrothermal vent

c : an opening at the breech of a muzzle-loading gun through which fire is touched to the powder

d chiefly Scottish : chimney, flue

2

: an opportunity or means of escape, passage, or release : outlet <finally gave vent to his pent-up hostility>

— vent·less \-ləs\ adjective

Origin of VENT

Middle English, anus, outlet, probably from Anglo-French, wind, draft, outlet

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

³vent

noun

Definition of VENT

: a slit in a garment; specifically : an opening in the lower part of a seam (as of a jacket or skirt)

— vent·less adjective

Origin of VENT

Middle English vente, alteration of fente, from Middle French, slit, fissure, from fendre to split, from Latin findere — more at bite

First Known Use: 15th century

vent

noun \ˈvent\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of VENT

: an opening for the escape of a gas or liquid or for the relief of pressure; especially : the external opening of the rectum or cloaca : anus