vent
    n 1: a hole for the escape of gas or air [syn: vent,
         venthole, vent-hole, blowhole]
    2: external opening of urinary or genital system of a lower
       vertebrate
    3: a fissure in the earth's crust (or in the surface of some
       other planet) through which molten lava and gases erupt [syn:
       vent, volcano]
    4: a slit in a garment (as in the back seam of a jacket)
    5: activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion;
       "she had no other outlet for her feelings"; "he gave vent to
       his anger" [syn: release, outlet, vent]
    v 1: give expression or utterance to; "She vented her anger";
         "The graduates gave vent to cheers" [syn: vent,
         ventilate, give vent]
    2: expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen; "air the
       old winter clothes"; "air out the smoke-filled rooms" [syn:
       vent, ventilate, air out, air]

Vent \Vent\ (v[e^]nt), n. [F. vente, fr. L. vendere, -itum, to
   sell; perh. confused with E. vent an opening. See Vend.]
   Sale; opportunity to sell; market. [Obs.] --Shelton.
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         There is no vent for any commodity but of wool. --Sir
                                                  W. Temple.
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Vent \Vent\, v. t.
   To sell; to vend. [Obs.]
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         Therefore did those nations vent such spice. --Sir W.
                                                  Raleigh.
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Vent \Vent\, n. [Sp. venta a poor inn, sale, market. See Vent
   sale.]
   A baiting place; an inn. [Obs.]
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Vent \Vent\, v. i. [Cf. F. venter to blow, vent wind (see
   Ventilate); but prob influenced by E. vent an opening.]
   To snuff; to breathe or puff out; to snort. [Obs.] --Spenser.
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Vent \Vent\ (v[e^]nt), n. [OE. fent, fente, a slit, F. fente a
   slit, cleft, fissure, from fendre to split, L. findere; but
   probably confused with F. vent wind, L. ventus. See
   Fissure, and cf. Vent to snuff.]
   1. A small aperture; a hole or passage for air or any fluid
      to escape; as, the vent of a cask; the vent of a mold; a
      volcanic vent.
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            Look, how thy wounds do bleed at many vents. --Shak.
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            Long 't was doubtful, both so closely pent,
            Which first should issue from the narrow vent.
                                                  --Pope.
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   2. Specifically: 
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      (a) (Zool.) The anal opening of certain invertebrates and
          fishes; also, the external cloacal opening of
          reptiles, birds, amphibians, and many fishes.
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      (b) (Gun.) The opening at the breech of a firearm, through
          which fire is communicated to the powder of the
          charge; touchhole.
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      (c) (Steam Boilers) Sectional area of the passage for
          gases divided by the length of the same passage in
          feet.
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   3. Fig.: Opportunity of escape or passage from confinement or
      privacy; outlet.
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   4. Emission; escape; passage to notice or expression;
      publication; utterance.
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            Without the vent of words.            --Milton.
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            Thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel.
                                                  --Shak.
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   To give vent to, to suffer to escape; to let out; to pour
      forth; as, to give vent to anger.

   To take vent, to escape; to be made public. [R.]

   Vent feather (Zool.), one of the anal, or crissal, feathers
      of a bird.

   Vent field (Gun.), a flat raised surface around a vent.

   Vent piece. (Gun.)
      (a) A bush. See 4th Bush, n., 2.
      (b) A breech block.
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Vent \Vent\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vented; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Venting.]
   1. To let out at a vent, or small aperture; to give passage
      or outlet to.
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   2. To suffer to escape from confinement; to let out; to
      utter; to pour forth; as, to vent passion or complaint.
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            The queen of heaven did thus her fury vent.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   3. To utter; to report; to publish. [Obs.]
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            By mixing somewhat true to vent more lies. --Milton.
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            Thou hast framed and vented very curious orations.
                                                  --Barrow.
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   4. To scent, as a hound. [Obs.] --Turbervile.
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   5. To furnish with a vent; to make a vent in; as, to vent. a
      mold.
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