Obs. exc. arch. Also 6–7 vente. [In senses 1–3 a. F. vente (= Sp. venta, Prov. and Pg. venda, It. vendita):—pop.L. *vendita sb., from L. venditus, pa. pple. of vendĕre to sell. Cf. VEND sb. In sense 4 directly ad. Sp. venta.
In senses 1 and 2 the word is very common from c. 1550 to c. 1750, freq. with adjs. denoting the readiness or profitableness of trade.]
1. The fact, on the part of commodities, of being disposed of by sale or of finding purchasers; freq. in the phrases to find or have (…) vent. a. With a (or no).
1545. Brinklow, Compl., ii. (1874), 11. This being reformed, aboue all other actes shal bryng the cloth of England to a contynuall vent.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 236 b. The wolles at Caleis, because of the warre, could haue no vent, nor be vttred.
1655. trans. Sorel’s Com. Hist. Francion, III. 70. Divers Authors of this our Age have more ridiculously clad their names in a Roman disguise … that their books might have a better vent.
1714. French Bk. Rates, 242. The Merchandizes carried there from France … lie on Hand, and cannot find a Vent or Market.
1730. Col. Rec. Pennsylv., III. 391. Encouragement … given to raise such Commodities that might have a constant and ready vent in Britain.
1782. Pegge, Curialia Misc., 141. One often sees them advertised for sale; and, if bought at all, they find a vent, no doubt, at Wapping.
b. Without article.
1564. in Hudson & Tingey, Rec. Norwich (1910), II. 332. The seyde clothes which nowe were owte of estimation and vente.
1573–80. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 45. A remedie sent, where pease lack vent.
1581. W. Stafford, Exam. Compl., iii. (1876), 84. Whatsoeuer thing is rered vpon grasing, hath free vente both ouer this side and also beyond the sea, to be sold at the highest penny.
1617. Bacon, in Fortescue Papers (Camden), 34. For the yearely makeinge of soe many tonnes of allome as … can possiblely receave vent eyther at home or abroade.
1641. Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 112. Att these three fayres … the most timely sorte of lambes have very goode vente.
1694. J. Locke, in Ld. King, Life (1830), I. 383. For our books are so dear, and ill printed, that they have very little vent among foreigners.
1768. H. Walpole, Lett. (1891), V. 116. Like fish that could not find vent in London. Ibid. (a. 1797), Geo. II. (1847), II. vii. 228. The original caricature, which had amazing vent, was of Newcastle and Fox.
2. The fact, on the part of persons, of disposing of goods by sale; opportunity for selling; market or outlet for commodities.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 174. We trust you will not moue vs to bye the thyng, whiche wee cannot vtter, for in all places our vent is stopped and forbidden.
1575. Brieff Disc. Troub. Franckford (1846), 84. Saying that he woulde stoppe all mennes vents (as he termed it) and receiptes.
1600. Holland, Livy, 1002. To the end, that … they might … be served of a mart-towne for vent, and a place of receit for all forreine merchandise.
c. 1630. T. Mun, England’s Treas. (1664), 17. So far forth as the high price cause not a less vent in the quantity.
1671. Charente’s Customs Tafiletta, 69. As for the Trade and Traffick of those parts, it is much the same,… unless it be that the vent is better in some places than others.
1709. in Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), II. 191. The Amsterdam publisher … carrying a considerable part of his impression into France, and hoping for a quick vent there.
1760–72. trans. Juan & Ulloa’s Voy (ed. 3), II. 398. The traders … consign … their European goods … to their correspondents in other parts for vent.
1778. [W. H. Marshall], Minutes Agric., 19 May, 1776. What, then, must be the fate of those who do not keep a minute account, neither of the yield nor of the vent?
b. In phrases with verbs, as to find or have vent.
1557–71. A. Jenkinson, Voy. & Trav. (Hakl. Soc.), I. 116. We be vncertaine what vent or sale you shall finde in Persia.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 367. They vsed in old time to gather the Incense but once a yere; as hauing little vent, and small returne, and lesse occasion to sell than now adaies.
1674. Marvell, Reh. Transp., II. 54. Or by only naming it hoped to procure vent or better their livelyhood.
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), II. 62. Such Uses as you design to sell your Wood for, which you must be regulated in by the vent you have.
c. Const. of.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 241. Thether was one of their common trafficques and ventes of all their Merchaundice.
1577. Holinshed, Chron., II. 951/2. By this grant it was thoughte, yt the king might dispend a M. markes sterling a day, such vent of woolles had the English merchants.
1600. Hakluyt, Voy. (1810), III. 594. Where he had peaceable traffique, and made vent of the whole number of his Negros.
1690. Child, Disc. Trade (1698), 59. Much foreign trade will encrease the vent of our native manufactures, and much vent will make many workmen.
1700. Law, Council of Trade (1751), 141. This demand … at home will in all probability make way for the exportation and foreign vent of at least so much more.
1778. Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2), s.v. Malton, Malton … was heretofore famous for its vent of corn, fish, and country utensils.
1812. G. Chalmers, Historical View, 46. The alien duties, which had always obstructed the vent of native manufactures.
d. Const. for.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 39. To filch and steale whatsoeuer they can lay their hands vpon, seing they may haue such good vent for ye same.
1591. Greene, Conny Catch., II. 3. Any Faire, Mart, or other place where any good vent for horses is.
a. 1662. Fuller, Worthies, Essex, I. (1662), 318. I know not whether it be better to wish them good Wares to Vent, or good Vent for their Wares.
1689. Apol. Fail. Walker’s Acc., 23. The tenth being more than he hopes to have vent for in England.
1727. Pope, etc., Art of Sinking, 72. I doubt not, but we shall … procure a farther vent for our own product.
1761. Hume, Hist. Engl., II. xxvi. 118. If husbandmen understand agriculture, and have a rendy vent for their commodities.
1788. Priestley, Lect. Hist., V. lviii. 460. If … they find a vent for these goods abroad, they will have wherewith to purchase the produce of other countries.
1828. Southey, in Q. Rev., XXXVII. 546. Yet, even then, more goods were produced than there was vent for.
1868. E. Edwards, Ralegh, I. vi. 97. The ordinary vent for timber of any sort, in Ireland, was very limited.
† 3. A place where goods are or may be sold; a market, mart. Obs.–1
1580. R. Hitchcock, Politic Plat, f ij. At Rone in Fraunce which is the chefest vent, be solde our Englishe wares, as Welche and Manchester Cottons.
† 4. [After Sp. venta.] An inn or tavern; a baiting or posting house. Obs. (Cf. VENTA.)
1577. Hellowes, Gueuara’s Chron., 14. The seate of Ystobriga was, where nowe the ventes of Caparra, being bayting places, stand.
1612. Shelton, Don Quix., I. ii. (1620), 10. He perceiued an Inne, neere vnto the high way;… forthwith as soone as he espied the Vent, he fained to himselfe that it was a Castle.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Love’s Pilgr., I. i. Our house Is but a vent of need, that now and then Receives a guest, between the greater Towns As they come late.
