Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

VENT, v.¹, n.¹ Sc. usages of Eng. vent, to sell, sale:

I. v. To sell (any commodity). Obs. exc. dial. in Eng. by early 18th c.Sc. 1708 Morison Decisions Suppl. IV. 726:
The taxmen of the town pursue Straiton for what ale he brewed and vented or sold within the town of Edinburgh.Sc. 1715 A. Pennecuik Tweeddale (1815) 51:
There have frequently been seen 9000 [sheep] in the customer's roll, and most of all these sold and vented in one day.Fif. 1744 G. Gourlay Old Neighbours (1887) 58:
No contraband liquor had been “vented”, for months in the town.Ayr. 1789 D. Sillar Poems 43:
Ye'll maybe sair some day repent it That ever whisky free was ventet On this side Tweed.

II. n. In transf. sense: progress, speed, advance with work (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.), from the notion of a busy market for one's goods or work.Rxb. 1825 Jam.:
Are ye comin' onything gude vent the day?