Main Entry: ¹vent

Pronunciation: \ˈvent\

Function: verb

Etymology: 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

Date: 14th century

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>

synonyms see express