from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
[1913 Webster]
Look, how thy wounds do bleed at many vents. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Long 't was doubtful, both so closely pent,
Which first should issue from the narrow vent.
--Pope.
[1913 Webster]
2. Specifically:
[1913 Webster]
(a) (Zool.) The anal opening of certain invertebrates and
fishes; also, the external cloacal opening of
reptiles, birds, amphibians, and many fishes.
[1913 Webster]
(b) (Gun.) The opening at the breech of a firearm, through
which fire is communicated to the powder of the
charge; touchhole.
[1913 Webster]
(c) (Steam Boilers) Sectional area of the passage for
gases divided by the length of the same passage in
feet.
[1913 Webster]
3. Fig.: Opportunity of escape or passage from confinement or
privacy; outlet.
[1913 Webster]
4. Emission; escape; passage to notice or expression;
publication; utterance.
[1913 Webster]
Without the vent of words. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
{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.
[1913 Webster]