Also 7 vente, ventt. [f. VENT sb.2, or ad. F. éventer EVENT v.2 Cf. also AVENT v. The senses of OF. and F. venter are barely represented here.]
I. trans. † 1. To provide (a liquor cask, etc.) with a vent or outlet for gas or vapor. Obs.
1398. [see VENTING vbl. sb.].
1495. Trevisa’s Barth. De P. R., XVII. clxxxvi. 727. The strengthe of feruent must … brekyth ful stronge vesselles that it is put in, but thei be vented.
1570. Levins, Manip., 66. To vent, aperire, euacuare.
1580–3. Greene, Mamillia, Wks. (Grosart), II. 57. The wine vessel beyng ful, lets passe no wine, though neuer so wel vented.
1607. Walkington, Opt. Glass, 45. The vessel beein[g] vented and broch’t, tels the taste what liquor issueth from it.
1703. Art & Myst. Vintners & Wine-Coopers, 11. They draw them forth for sale as fast as they can vent them.
fig. 1589. Nashe, Anat. Absurdity, Wks. (Grosart), I. 35. These Bussards thinke knowledge a burthen, tapping it before they haue half tunde it, venting it before they haue filled it.
b. fig. To relieve or unburden (one’s heart or soul) in respect of feelings or emotions. Also refl.
c. 1626. W. Bosworth, Arcadius & Sepha, I. 843. With these, and such like words, he vents his soul Of those … Conjectures.
1631. Heywood, Engl. Elizabeth (1641), 55. The King having something vented himself with laughing, replied.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 22, ¶ 2. Without any Purpose in his Talk, but to vent an Heart overflowing with Sense of Success.
1799. Winter, Lett., in Jay, Wks. (1843), V. 92. I vented my soul in a line to Mr. Peronet.
† 2. To discharge, eject, cast or pour out (liquid, smoke, etc.); to carry off or away; to drain in this way. Also with advs., as away, down, forth, out. Obs.
Said usually of the containing thing, but sometimes of the force or means by which outlet is given. Examples with advs. are placed under (a).
(a) 1587. Holinshed, Chron. (ed. 2), III. 558/1. The infectious smother of this venemous vapor … had beene readie to choke all christendome, had not by the wisdome … of the princes there, the same the sooner beene vented away.
1602. 2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass., IV. iii. 1888. Those leaden spouts, That nought downe [v.r. doe] vent but what they do receiue.
1644. G. Plattes, in Hartlib’s Legacy (1655), 198. The pits … will vent away the superfluous water continually, and keep the sellar alwaies dry.
1652. French, Yorksh. Spa, ii. 19. They being vented forth, the heat would … be extinguished.
(b) 1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Providence, xviii. Springs vent their streams, and by expense get store.
1646. P. Bulkeley, Gospel Covt., I. 114. Be not like dry vessels that will vent nothing.
1712. W. Rogers, Voyage (1718), 383. We found it [the leak] did not encrease more than one pump could vent.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 297. The copper funnels for venting the smoke from the kitchen fires.
fig. 1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 98. If there should bee any bad Bloud left in the Kingdome, an Honourable Forraine Warre will Vent it.
a. 1627. Sir J. Beaumont, Bosworth F., 552. My Strength is spent, And some perhaps of Villain Blood will vent My weary Soul.
† b. Of persons, animals or their organs: To cast out, expel or discharge, esp. by natural evacuation; to evacuate (urine, etc.). Obs.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 249. With a medicine made of an African Sparrow mixed with this, he procured one to make water, and to void a great stone which had not vented his vrine in many daies.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., I. ii. 5. Where ayre comes out, ayre comes in: There’s none abroad so wholesome as that you vent.
1641. Milton, Reform., II. Wks. 1851, III. 70. The very maw of Hell ransack’t, and made to give up her conceal’d destruction, ere shee could vent it in that horrible and damned blast.
1656. J. Smith, Pract. Physick, 94. The Chylus … cannot all be changed into water, and if it were changed, yet the Reins can vent it forth.
1738. trans. Guazzo’s Art Conversation, 74. Such as vent such pestiferous Blasts, ought to have their Wind stopt with a Halter.
1846. J. Baxter, Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4), II. 99. Sheep that are infected with this disorder cannot vent the seed, the ova, from their liver, on the ground.
transf. c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, XIX. 97. When Alcmena was to vent the force of Hercules.
fig. 1608. T. Morton, Preamb. Encounter, 121. Whatsoeuer bitternesse the gall of this man could vent out.
† c. To shed (tears). Also with out. Obs. rare.
1632. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 123. Having first suffered me to vent out my teares, for the disburdning of my heart [etc.].
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), III. 16. He … vented the tears of … pleasure, love, and gratitude.
3. a. To give, heave, or utter (a groan, sigh, etc.). Now rare or poet.
1602. Marston, Antonio’s Rev., IV. iv. I … vent a heaving sigh.
1615. T. Adams, White Devil, 42. The poore confident plaintife goes home undone; his moanes, his groanes are vented up to heaven.
1718. Pope, Iliad, XV. 123. Behold Ascalaphus! behold him die, But dare not murmur, dare not vent a sigh.
a. 1763. Shenstone, Elegies, xiv. 45. Beneath her palm Idume vents her moan.
1858. H. Bushnell, Serm. New Life, 10. They even complain, venting heavy sighs.
1872. Blackie, Lays Highl., 122. Not wise is he who vents an angry breath.
† b. poet. To pour out (one’s soul) in death. Obs.
1718. Pope, Iliad, XVI. 387. He sinks,… And vents his soul, effused with gushing gore.
4. fig. To give vent to (an emotion, feeling, passion, etc.); to give free course or expression to; to express; to make manifest or known.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., I. ii. 179. Gremio, ’tis now no time to vent our loue.
1602. Marston, Antonio’s Rev., II. iv. I must vent my griefes, or heart will burst.
1641. Tatham, Distr. State, II. i. Did you e’er Hear spleen better vented.
1676. Hobbes, Iliad, IV. 174. Would Agamemnon thus would alwaies vent His Choler.
1722. De Foe, Plague (1840), 74. Others, unable to contain themselves, vented their pain by incessant roarings.
a. 1781. R. Watson, Hist. Philip III., V. (1783), 349. The resentment of Spain was farther vented in a manifesto.
1820. Scott, Monast., xiv. Martin … suppressed not his indignation a moment after he could vent it with safety.
1841. Dickens, Barn. Rudge, xxxii. He vented the lightness of his spirit in smiles and sparkling looks.
1873. Symonds, Grk. Poets, v. 139. Habituated to associate together in large bodies, the Dorians felt no need of venting private feeling.
transf. a. 1716. South, Serm. (1744), XI. 222. Things contrary will vent their contrariety in mutual strife.
b. To let loose, pour out, wreak (one’s anger, spleen, etc.) on or upon a person or thing. (Cf. 5 b.)
1697. Dryden, Æneid, III. 703. The Winds and Waves complain, And vent their malice on the Cliffs in vain.
1710. Tatler, No. 260, ¶ 3. That fatal distemper, which has always taken a particular pleasure in venting its spight upon the Nose.
1735. Johnson, Lobo’s Abyssinia, Descr., ix. 93. The Viceroy disappointed in this Scheme, vented all his rage upon Father James. Ibid. (1750), Rambler, No. 87, ¶ 9. The unsuccessful vent their discontent upon those that excel them.
1816. T. L. Peacock, Headlong Hall, xiii. To vent their spleen on the first idle coxcomb they can find.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 55. The Carthaginians unable to vent their anger even on the lifeless corpse of the unfortunate Hamilcar,… vented it on his innocent son.
5. fig. To give out or forth, publish or spread abroad, by or as by utterance; to give utterance or publicity to (a doctrine, opinion, etc.); to utter (a word, expression, etc.). † Also const. forth or out.
Very common from c. 1600 to c. 1750; now somewhat rare or arch.
1602. 2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass., II. vi. 954. What Iack, faith I cannot but vent vnto thee a most witty iest of mine.
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, N. T., 277. After that God had once vented and declared that his good purpose to mankind.
1648. Gage, West Ind., 102. And they will be sure to vent out some non-truth.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 278, ¶ 1. Learning by Heart Scraps of Greek, which she vents upon all Occasions.
1764. H. Walpole, Lett. (1891), IV. 279. I hate to send you every improbable tale that is vented.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. iv. 431. The Presidency vent the most bitter complaints.
1850. Merivale, Rom. Emp., iii. (1865), I. 107. The noisy declamations he vented about the imaginary dangers of his new Carthage.
1871. Blackie, Phases of Morals, i. 48. He who in an impulse of fearless fervour vents a little too much truth [etc.].
b. With on or upon. (Cf. 4 b.)
1832. Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, vi. 85. Many a curse did the least wise … vent upon the French.
1843. Gladstone, Glean. (1879), V. 65. The nameless author who has recently vented his chaff … upon the public.
1844. Lever, T. Burke, v. The curse vented on me by one whose ruin … lay at my own father’s door.
† c. To disclose, divulge or let out (a secret, etc.). Obs.
1678. Marvell, Growth Popery, Wks. (Grosart), IV. 276. This affair was carried on with all the secresie of so great statesmen, that they might not by venting it unseasonably, spoil [etc.].
1679. Everard, Popish Plot, 7. When these matters were vented out of [= by] Sir Robert.
6. refl. Of a thing: To discharge (itself); to find issue or exit.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, IV. v. 81. Nilus venteth itself into the Mediterranean Sea with seven mouths.
1665. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 120. That very year the earth swelled with such a tympany, that in venting it self all Larr was forced to quake.
1684. J. Peter, Siege Vienna, 45. It hapned that they were all left standing, the Mine venting it self upon the Edge of the Ditch.
1726. Nat. Hist. Ireland, 193. A lake … called Loughchorib … vents it self into the sea at Galway.
b. esp. Of an emotion, faculty, quality, etc.: To find vent; to express or show (itself) in something.
(a) 1650. Fuller, Pisgah, IV. vii. 138. It is to be feared that this sin finding its usuall way obstructed, will watch its own advantage, to vent itself by some other conveyances.
1702. Rowe, Amb. Step-Moth., I. i. 375. The Malice of the Faction which I hate Would vent it self even on thy Innocence.
1808. in Knox & Jebbs’ Corr., I. 456. The fears of men … having been taught … to vent themselves, if I may so speak, through the channel of sacrifice.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 367. The coffee houses were the chief organs through which the public opinion of the metropolis vented itself.
a. 1862. Buckle, Civiliz. (1869), III. iv. 193. This ill-feeling increased until, in 1580, it vented itself by the abolition of episcopacy.
(b) a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies (1840), III. 468. Able and active bodies are not to vent themselves in such vain, though gainful, ostentation.
1669. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, I. III. i. 8. Affections … delight to vent themselves in Poesie.
1763. J. Brown, Poetry & Music, 102. When the first Fire of Enthusiasm had vented itself in the Rapture of Hymns and Odes.
1819. Scott, Ivanhoe, xxvii. The … decrepit hag … whose wrath must vent itself in impotent curses.
a. 1854. H. Reed, Lect. Brit. Poets, xiii. (1857), II. 159. This cheerfulness has vented itself in his playful poetry.
† 7. a. To eject or expel (people) out of a country. Obs.–1
1609. in Gardiner, Hist. Eng., I. 438. [A wish that as many natives as possible might be] vented out of the land.
† b. To rid (a kingdom) of people. Obs.–1
1613. Sir T. Stafford, in Lismore Papers, Ser. II. (1837), I. 199. It will be a good meanes to vent that Kingdome … of a number of Idle men that haue nothinge to doe.
† c. fig. To spend, get rid of (a fortune). Obs.–1
1610. B. Jonson, Alch., III. iv. How doe they liue by their wits, there, that haue vented Sixe times your fortunes?
† 8. a. To dispense, distribute. Obs.–1
1616. Chapman, Odyss., XVII. 345. The Pallace royall … he enter’d … and his Trencher’s fraight The Keruers gaue him, of the flesh there vented.
† b. To put (coins, etc.) in circulation or currency; to give in payment; to pay out. Obs.
1629. Reg. Privy Counc. Scotl., Ser. II. III. 20. That nane of thame presoome … to vent and putt amongs his Majesteis subjects anie of the saids Embden dollours.
1655. trans. Sorel’s Com. Hist. Francion, XII. 31. Valerius having filled his Purse with pieces more current than those which he ordinarily vented.
1683. Col. Rec. Pennsylv., I. 84. A Question put whether there be not some persons to vent such money here.
† 9. To explode or fire (a mine). Obs. rare.
1687. J. Richards, Siege Buda, 14. With directions that if the Miners should meet with the Turks Mine, to Vent it.
10. To supply (a gun) with a vent or vent-piece.
1828. Spearman, Brit. Gunner (ed. 2), 412. It was recommended that iron ordnance … might be vented previously to their being issued. Ibid. A gun of the same description vented with pure copper.
1879. Man. Artill. Exerc., 201. The 80-pr. is vented in the same manner as the 64-pr. 58-cwt. gun.
II. intr. 11. Of an exhalation, liquid, smoke, etc.: To find or make an outlet or way of escape from a confined space; to come, flow, pass or pour out or away by a vent or opening. Now rare.
(a) 1540–1. Elyot, Image Gov. (1556), 64. Corrupt exhalacions, ventynge out of mens bodyes.
1560. Whitehorne, Ord. Souldiours (1588), 45. It will bee surer to let nothing vent out but the glasse it selfe.
1615. Day, Festivals, iv. 100. They were full of new Wine, and the new Wine venting out, the Tongues of all Nations were immediatly set a float.
1704. Dict. Rust. (1726), s.v. Blood-Spavin, When the Blood and Water have vented away as much as they will do.
(b) 1604. T. Wright, Passions, IV. i. 110. New wine … by venting bursteth the bottle.
1645. Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith (1845), 69. Smoke venteth at the window, when the chimney refuseth passage.
1694. Congreve, Double-Dealer, IV. ii. A cold deadly dew already vents through all my pores.
1886. J. Barrowman, Sc. Mining Terms, 69. To Vent, to have room to pass away.
fig. 1615. Brathwait, Strappado, etc. (1878), 265. For loue enclos’d like raging elements of fire and water, though imprisoned, vents.
a. 1635. Naunton, Fragm. Reg. (1641), 4. It staved off all Emulations … apt to rise and vent in obloquious acrimonie … where there is one onely admitted into high administrations.
† b. To become known, be divulged. Obs.–1
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII. (1876), 26. The earl presently communicated the matter with some of the nobles,… at the first secretly; but finding them of like affection to himself, he suffered it of purpose to vent and pass abroad.
† 12. Of a bottle, confined space, etc.: To have or obtain an outlet by which the contained matter can escape. Freq. fig. or in fig. context. Obs.
1599. Broughton’s Lett., ii. 9. Like an old bottle with new wine, vnlesse you sbould vent, you would burst.
1614. J. Cooke, Greene’s Tu Quoque, in Dodsley, O. Pl. (1744), III. 56. My heart is swol’n so big, that it must vent, Or it will burst.
1626. B. Jonson, Staple of N., I. ii. (1905), 13. Quiet his mouth, that Ouen will be venting else.
1655. Nicholas Papers (Camden), II. 324. I cannot forbeare filling vpp my paper with it, for such as we are must vent or we burst.
b. Sc. To let out or discharge smoke; to carry off smoke (well or ill).
1756. Mrs. Calderwood, in Coltness Collect. (Maitl. Club), 225. And neither great nor small [houses] will vent, which obliges them to use stoves: nay, these stoves will not vent at the chimney, but are often let out in a hole in the outer wall. Ibid., 236. As you know we cannot have in any kitchin above two stoves, because they must vent up the chimney.
1816. Scott, Antiq., xi. The Green Room disna vent weel in a high wind.
1825. Jamieson, Suppl., s.v., That lum vents very ill.
c. U.S. Of a brook: To flow into a river.
1784. J. Belknap, Tour to White Mts. (1876), 7. A large brook, which vents into Pine River.
† 13. spec. (See quot.) Obs.–1
1722. Bailey, To Vent, (among Glass Plate Workers,) is to crack in Working.
III. † 14. intr. Of an animal: To snuff up the air, esp. in order to pick up the scent of something. Obs.
1538. Elyot, Victo, tere, to vent as the hound doth, whiche foloweth the dere or hare, or other game.
1552. Huloet, s.v., Vent or snucke as a hound or spaniell doth, nicto.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Feb., 75. Seest, howe brag yond Bullocke beares, So smirke, so smoothe, his pricked eares?… See howe be venteth into the wynd.
1612. Drayton, Poly-olb., xiv. 20. At the full-bagg’d cow, Or at the curl-fac’d bull, when venting he doth low,… He never seems to smile.
1660. R. Coke, Justice Vind., 9. It is observed of the Fox, that whensoever hunted to ground, he never comes out, but at the mouth of the Burrow, he lies and vents a while.
† b. transf. To search or seek for. Obs.–1
1574. Hellowes, Gueuara’s Fam. Ep. (1577), 344. I cannot denie, but that after the manner of a drunkarde, that venteth for the best wine: so doe mine eyes stare and wander to finde out some olde Sepulture.
† 15. trans. Of animals, hounds, etc.: To become aware of, to detect or perceive, by means of the sense of smell; = SCENT v. 1. Obs.
1576. Turberv., Venerie, 75. If they chaunce once to vent the huntesman or his hounde, they will straight way dislodge from thence. Ibid., 187. He which maketh the trayne, must rubbe the soales of his shoes with Cowes dung, least the Foxe vent his footing.
1611. Noble Art Venerie, 96. My liege, I went this morning on my quest, My hound did sticke, and seem’d to vent some beast.
1660. R. Coke, Justice Vind., 9. The Fox,… if he vents any thing which causes fear, returns to ground again. Ibid. So Deer do naturally desire to eat Apples, but if approaching, they vent them to have been handled by man, they forsake them.
1735. Somerville, Chace, III. 544. Then as o’er the Turf he [a stag] strains, He vents the cooling Stream, and up the Breeze Urges his Course with eager Violence.
† b. transf. To discover or discern. Obs.–0
1611. Cotgr., On flaire cela,… men begin to discouer it, vent it, find it out.
16. To smell or snuff at (something). rare.
1634. Massinger, Very Woman, III. v. Antonio (pours out some wine). She stirs, and vents it: Oh! how she holds her nose up!
1880. Shorthouse, J. Inglesant, I. ii. 43. The hounds came trailing and chanting along by the riverside, venting every tree root.
17. intr. Of an otter, or beaver: To rise to the surface in order to breathe. Also transf. of a person (quot. 1600).
1590. Cockaine, Treat. Hunting, D ij b. He [the otter] will vent so oft, and put vp ouer water…. At which time some must runne vp the water, some downe, to see where he vents.
1600. Fairfax, Tasso, XV. lx. As when the morning starre escapt and fled, From greedie waues with dewie beames vp flies,… So vented she.
1647. Hexham, I. s.v., To Vent or take breath as an Otter.
1733. Phil. Trans., XXXVIII. 180. When she [sc. a beaver] swam under Water, which she would do for two or three Minutes, and then come up to vent, sometimes raising her Nostrils only above Water.
1735. Somerville, Chace, IV. 433. Th’ ascending Bubbles mark his [i.e., an otter’s] gloomy Way. Quick fix the Nets, and cut off his Retreat Into the shelt’ring Deeps. Ah! there he vents!
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, xxxiii. One of the otter-hunts … where the animal is detected by the hounds from his being necessitated to put his nose above the stream to vent or breathe.
1856. ‘Stonehenge,’ Brit. Rur. Sports, 144/2. The otter … is obliged to come up and ‘vent’ for want of air.
1885. Standard, 2 April, 5/3. Their prey is rising to ‘vent.’
† b. trans. To cause or force (an otter) to come to the surface. Obs.–0
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. 134/2. An Otter: We watch, and Vent him, when we disturb him.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Vent the Otter, Dislodge him.
† 18. trans. To blow (a horn). Obs.–1
1601. F. Tate, Househ. Ord. Edw. II., § 57 (1876), 44. j to vent the horne shal have ijd. a day wages.
† 19. To supply with fresh air; to ventilate. Obs.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 440. That all the Apples … be so couched as that they touch not one another, but haue spaces between to receiue equall aire for to bee vented.
† 20. To lift up so as to admit air. Obs.–1
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. i. 42. The braue Mayd would not disarmed bee, But onely vented vp her vmbriere, And so did let her goodly visage to appere.
