† aˈvent, v. Obs.
[a. AF. avente-r (= OF. esventer, mod.F. éventer):—Romanic *exventare, f. L. ex out + ventus wind.]
1. trans. To air, to refresh with cool air, esp. by opening the front of the helmet so as to admit it; hence, to open (the helmet) for this purpose.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce vi. 305 That of his basnet than had tane To awent hym [v.r. tak the air] for he wes hate. c 1400 Destr. Troy xv. 7090 He voidet his viser, auentid hym seluyn. c 1440 Bone Flor. 1941 As he schulde hys helme avente, A quarell smote hym. c 1450 Merlin xx. 335 Thei were well refresshed and a-vented. |
2. refl. and intr. To come out or escape into the open air; fig. to escape from confinement. Hence aventing vbl. n.
| c 1375 Wyclif Serm. (Sel. Wks. 1869) I. 219 Whanne þei ben aventid..Goddis lawe lymyteþ how þes wyndis shulen passe awei. c 1380 ― De Pseudo-Freres Wks. (1880) 319 It were good to many men þat ben closid in þise ordris þat þei disporteden hem in þe world. for siche auentyng many times fordoiþ enuye, ire & lust. |