vent

vent¹ [vent] n

[Sense: 1-2, 4; Date: 1500-1600; Origin: VENT²]

[Sense: 3; Date: 1400-1500; : Old French; Origin: fente 'long narrow hole', from fendre 'to split', from Latin findere; FISSION]

1.) a hole or pipe through which gases, liquid etc can enter or escape from an enclosed space or container

▪ a blocked air vent

▪ a volcanic vent

2.) give vent to sth

formal to do something violent or harmful to express feelings of anger, hatred etc

▪ Children give vent to their anger in various ways.

▪ He knew that if he gave full vent to his feelings, it would upset Joanna.

3.) a thin straight opening at the bottom of the back or side of a jacket or coat

4.) technical the small hole through which small animals, birds, fish, etc pass waste matter out of their bodies

vent ²

vent² v [T]

[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: esventer 'to put in the air', from vent 'wind', from Latin ventus]

to express feelings of anger, hatred etc, especially by doing something violent or harmful

vent sth on sb

▪ If he's had a bad day, Paul vents his anger on the family.

vent sth by doing sth

▪ I could hear mum venting her frustration by banging the pots noisily.

▪ The meeting gave us a chance to vent our spleen (=anger) .