vent1 
(v
nt) See the pronunciation key
NOUN:
vent·ed, vent·ing, vents
VERB:
tr.
intr.
ETYMOLOGY:
Partly from French vent (from Old French), and partly alteration of French évent (from Old French esvent, from esventer, to let out air, from Vulgar Latin *exvent
re : Latin ex-; see ex- + Latin ventus, wind; see w
- in Indo-European roots)
OTHER FORMS:
vent
er(Noun)
SYNONYMS:
vent1, express, utter1, voice, air
These verbs mean to give outlet to thoughts or emotions. To vent is to unburden oneself of a strong pent-up emotion: "She was jealous ... and glad of any excuse to vent her pique" (Edward G.E.L. Bulwer-Lytton). Express, a more comprehensive term, refers to both verbal and nonverbal communication: found the precise words to express her idea; expressed his affection with a hug; "expressing emotion in the form of art" (T.S. Eliot). Utter involves vocal expression: "The words were uttered in the hearing of Montezuma" (William Hickling Prescott). Voice denotes the expression of outlook or viewpoint: The lawyer voiced her satisfaction with the verdict. To air is to show off one's feelings, beliefs, or ideas: They aired their differences during dinner.
(v
nt) See the pronunciation key NOUN:
- A means of escape or release from confinement; an outlet: give vent to one's anger.
- An opening permitting the escape of fumes, a liquid, a gas, or steam.
- The small hole at the breech of a gun through which the charge is ignited.
- Zoology The excretory opening of the digestive tract in animals such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
- Geology
- The opening of a volcano in the earth's crust.
- An opening on the ocean floor that emits hot water and dissolved minerals.
vent·ed, vent·ing, vents
VERB:
tr.
- To express (one's thoughts or feelings, for example), especially forcefully.
- To release or discharge (steam, for example) through an opening.
- To provide with a vent.
intr.
- To vent one's feelings or opinions.
- To be released or discharged through an opening.
- To rise to the surface of water to breathe. Used of a marine mammal.
ETYMOLOGY:
Partly from French vent (from Old French), and partly alteration of French évent (from Old French esvent, from esventer, to let out air, from Vulgar Latin *exvent
re : Latin ex-; see ex- + Latin ventus, wind; see w- in Indo-European roots)OTHER FORMS:
vent
er(Noun)SYNONYMS:
vent1, express, utter1, voice, air
These verbs mean to give outlet to thoughts or emotions. To vent is to unburden oneself of a strong pent-up emotion: "She was jealous ... and glad of any excuse to vent her pique" (Edward G.E.L. Bulwer-Lytton). Express, a more comprehensive term, refers to both verbal and nonverbal communication: found the precise words to express her idea; expressed his affection with a hug; "expressing emotion in the form of art" (T.S. Eliot). Utter involves vocal expression: "The words were uttered in the hearing of Montezuma" (William Hickling Prescott). Voice denotes the expression of outlook or viewpoint: The lawyer voiced her satisfaction with the verdict. To air is to show off one's feelings, beliefs, or ideas: They aired their differences during dinner.
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright/IP Policy
| Terms of Service
| Help
NOTICE: We collect personal information on this site.
To learn more about how we use your information,
see our » Privacy Policy.