Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Ventar,) Venter, n.² Also: wenter, vender, ventner. [17th c. Eng. venter (1611).] a. One who is responsible for the circulation of, esp. counterfeit, coinage. b. One responsible for the dissemination of forbidden literature, or ? one who sells such literature. Cf. Vent v.² 4.a. 1624 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 17.
Besides suche other panes and punishment, as by law may be inflicted vpoun persouns venters outputters and homebringers of forbiddin and discharged coyne 1635 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 42.
The imbringers venters and outputters of this false and counterfoote copper coyne(b) 1661 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 60.
The Lords of Councill … prohibits all persons … to make use of the foresaids [counterfeit] turners … under the paine to be … punished as ventners of false and adulterat coineb. 1657 Balfour Ann. I 385.
The aduersaries of the trew protestant religione wer ordainid to be trayed and punished; and the sellers and wenters of popishe bookes should be ordred according to former lawes 1671 Laing MSS 380.
It is like the booke will be calld in and forbid to be sold … all the inquiri imaginable shall be used for the discovery of the importers and venters of them and of the author(b) 1681 Acts VIII 243/2.
To putt the laws made against poperie and Papists … especially against sayers and hearers of mass, venders & dispersers of forbidden books and [etc.]