'Vent piece' definitions:

Definition of 'Vent piece'

From: GCIDE
  • Vent \Vent\ (v[e^]nt), 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) (Zool.) 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 (Zool.), 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]