Vent feather

Vent Vent, 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) (Zo["o]l.) 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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]