English word origin

Etymology of vent

Partly from Middle French vent, from Latin ventus and partly from French éventer. Cognate with French vent and Spanish viento (“wind”) and ventana (“window”). Doublet of wind.

5 source sectionsExtended source reportWiktionary original ↗

In this entry · 5 source sections

The source etymologies

Wiktionary via Kaikki / Wiktextract

The source reports below are imported and unreviewed by *SET-U. Separate numbered origins and differing source variants are preserved; agreement within this extraction is not independent corroboration.

Source etymology 1

Original entry ↗

verb

To allow gases to escape. · To allow gases to escape from (a sealed space, container, etc.). · To allow to escape through a vent. · To express a strong emotion.

noun

An opening through which gases, especially air, can pass. · A small aperture. · An opening in a volcano from which lava or gas flows. · A rant; a long session of expressing verbal frustration.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Partly from Middle French vent, from Latin ventus and partly from French éventer. Cognate with French vent and Spanish viento (“wind”) and ventana (“window”). Doublet of wind.

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

Root classification mention*h₂weh₁-ine-pro
Borrowed-form mentionventfrm
Derivation mentionventusla
Borrowed-form mentionéventerfr
Cognate mentionventfr
Cognate mentionvientoes · wind
Doublet mentionwinden

This page abbreviates 11 auxiliary source items. The etymology narrative is not shortened. Omission counts are available in the audit fields below; consult the original for complete auxiliary material.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "root",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*h₂weh₁-"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "bor",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "frm",
        "3": "vent"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle French vent"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "ventus"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin ventus"
    },
    {
      "name": "bor",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fr",
        "3": "éventer"
      },
      "expansion": "French éventer"
    },
    {
      "name": "cog",
      "args": {
        "1": "fr",
        "2": "vent"
      },
      "expansion": "French vent"
    },
    {
      "name": "cog",
      "args": {
        "1": "es",
        "2": "viento",
        "t": "wind"
      },
      "expansion": "Spanish viento (“wind”)"
    },
    {
      "name": "doublet",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "wind"
      },
      "expansion": "Doublet of wind"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "vent",
      "vent#Middle_French"
    ],
    [
      "ventus",
      "ventus#Latin"
    ],
    [
      "éventer",
      "éventer#French"
    ],
    [
      "vent",
      "vent#French"
    ],
    [
      "viento",
      "viento#Spanish"
    ],
    [
      "ventana",
      "ventana#Spanish"
    ],
    [
      "wind",
      "wind#English"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "verb",
      "glosses": [
        "To allow gases to escape.",
        "To allow gases to escape from (a sealed space, container, etc.).",
        "To allow to escape through a vent.",
        "To express a strong emotion."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "intransitive",
        "transitive"
      ],
      "recordId": "204479e43f26d7939f92bafaab8ecaaae392e11156db3942481dea0abb17e453",
      "rawRecordSha256": "10633e05ddc512ccd86ed1498839271bee504d20673fe32585d39f288d59512f",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 152865
    },
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "An opening through which gases, especially air, can pass.",
        "A small aperture.",
        "An opening in a volcano from which lava or gas flows.",
        "A rant; a long session of expressing verbal frustration."
      ],
      "tags": [],
      "recordId": "5450d88f56c67ddf3cb9b94df569aca278fa63af7d41b171e51778553d05a04a",
      "rawRecordSha256": "0946cca1ece9f64940e9c42646370db514e2b6b6fae8beae2c1103585e2f2ee7",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 152864
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 11,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 2

Original entry ↗

noun

Ventriloquism.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Clipping of ventriloquism.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "clipping",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ventriloquism"
      },
      "expansion": "Clipping of ventriloquism"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "ventriloquism",
      "ventriloquism#English"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "Ventriloquism."
      ],
      "tags": [],
      "recordId": "d09f90db6614a15e801854a0d0190e8245513ab01f7baf1be50d6a5c5e252998",
      "rawRecordSha256": "2cc40bb44ffca68e6a521b4820fce76af8041dcfc1226262fcbbf3979334c8b7",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 152866
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 3

Original entry ↗

verb

To sell; to vend.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From French vente, from Latin vendere (“to sell”).

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

Derivation mentionventefr
Derivation mentionvendola · to sell

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fr",
        "3": "vente"
      },
      "expansion": "French vente"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "vendo",
        "4": "vendere",
        "t": "to sell"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin vendere (“to sell”)"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "vente",
      "vente#French"
    ],
    [
      "vendere",
      "vendo#Latin"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "verb",
      "glosses": [
        "To sell; to vend."
      ],
      "tags": [],
      "recordId": "103b695acdf6586b24293c4307fe104b64576f7b213a44aa7caaa72cda902270",
      "rawRecordSha256": "8581513ee13b3110f44a27f46c218b6ecf5f5435f21d298614992f1fbb69fa87",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 152867
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 4

Original entry ↗

noun

A baiting place; an inn.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From Spanish venta (“a poor inn, sale, market”).

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

Derivation mentionventaes · a poor inn, sale, market

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "es",
        "3": "venta",
        "t": "a poor inn, sale, market"
      },
      "expansion": "Spanish venta (“a poor inn, sale, market”)"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "venta",
      "venta#Spanish"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "A baiting place; an inn."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "obsolete"
      ],
      "recordId": "396bd852897f3df81120db019c53f03140647a6f9330230f118c824b0324b39c",
      "rawRecordSha256": "6ce0f6a37cdf6ea6431eb2f024769e71f45ef3a5b6d61cb90f6fd16aab85c5f8",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 152868
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 5

Original entry ↗

verb

To ventilate; to use a ventilator; to use ventilation.

noun

Clipping of ventilation or ventilator.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Clipping.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "clipping",
      "args": {
        "1": "en"
      },
      "expansion": "Clipping"
    }
  ],
  "links": [],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "verb",
      "glosses": [
        "To ventilate; to use a ventilator; to use ventilation."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "colloquial"
      ],
      "recordId": "d7a0f130e19c46695a4fee665327c3e24c8c7cc5990e5d3f9617d286047bb93e",
      "rawRecordSha256": "660456bfc7e86c5839e7495b519a1da294ad8102d7b79c6b234ad7f58c07d847",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 152870
    },
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "Clipping of ventilation or ventilator."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "abbreviation",
        "alt-of",
        "clipping",
        "colloquial"
      ],
      "recordId": "fa3628eccf2f391e3168df58d90294b03c9c789755af1dddaceabcc0e563002b",
      "rawRecordSha256": "1bfb3aa3ba6fbf6b275dd245cdcaff4ac05c6aba49734ab60b3558e33c0d528e",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 152869
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Where this record stops

This page does not supply an independently verified sound-change sequence, first-use manuscript or complete family tree unless a cited analysis explicitly establishes one. Missing detail here is a limit of this record—not a claim that humanity knows nothing more.

An older meaning does not determine what a word must mean today. Follow the sources, preserve disagreements, and keep ancestry separate from interpretation.

Contribute located evidence for vent →

Source and snapshot

Imported from Wiktionary contributors; extracted by Tatu Ylonen / Wiktextract / Kaikki.org. Selected fields are reformatted and grouped; wording, source identity and etymology sections are retained. CC-BY-SA-4.0 applies to the imported source material.

Dump: 2026-10-01 · Extracted: 2026-10-30. These are snapshot dates, not the word’s first attestation or the page’s revision date.

Source entry and bibliography ↗Wiktionary revision history ↗Acquisition and rights ledger

Machine-source provenance

Source SHA-256: 5ff2c072f8099f2d2ce484bd6957bf179f046d2ad37bc36555edf8bb84cb5291
Import run: 73216b9a9b78ed3830994bf853103716f5a4dc57099e371e9f8fdc468facca26
Permanent entry ID: w-dmVudA