Also 7–9 ventige. [f. VENT sb.2 + -AGE.]
1. One of the series of apertures or holes in the length of a wind instrument for controlling the notes; a finger-hole.
In mod. use perh. originally from Shakespeare.
1602. Shaks., Ham., V. ii. 373 (Q.2). Gouerne these ventages [fol. ventiges] with your fingers,… & it wil discourse most eloquent musique.
1776. Burney, Hist. Music, I. 264. It was found practicable to produce the same variety of tones with a single pipe, by means of ventiges or holes.
1794. Burns, Lett. to G. Thomson, 20 Nov. The stock has six or seven ventiges on the upper side, and one back-ventige, like the common flute.
1834. M. Scott, Cruise Midge, xxiii. An instrument made of some bright yellow hard wood,… the ventiges [1842 ventages] inlaid with gold.
1876. J. Weiss, Wit, Hum. & Shaks., v. 171. It is enough for him to finger the ventages of a recorder and invite Guildenstern to play upon it.
transf. 1612. Webster, White Devil, II. i. 299. He will shoot pils into a mans guts, shall make them have more ventages than a cornet or a lamprey.
2. A comparatively small opening for the passage of air, etc.; an air-hole or vent-hole.
1623. Webster, Duchess Malfi, II. v. I would have their bodies Burnt in a coal-pit with the ventage stopp’d.
1726. Leoni, Alberti’s Archit., II. 112/2. In subterraneous Conduits you shou’d open Ventiges like Wells…. I have seen such Ventiges in the Country of the Marsi.
b. = VENT sb.2 11 d.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., 2703/1. The ventages of ordnance are bushed with copper.
3. Means for the escape of air.
1615. J. Stephens, Satyr. Ess. (1857), 226. She rises with a purpose to be extreamely sober: this begets silence, which gives her a repletion of aire without ventage; and that takes away her appetite.
