WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Ven"ti*late
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [L. ventilatus, p. p. of ventilare to toss, brandish in the air, to fan, to winnow, from ventus wind; akin to E. wind. See Wind rushing air.]
Definition : 1. To open and expose to the free passage of air; to supply with fresh air, and remove impure air from; to air; as, to ventilate a room; to ventilate a cellar; to ventilate a mine.

2. To provide with a vent, or escape, for air, gas, etc.; as, to ventilate a mold, or a water-wheel bucket.

3. To change or renew, as the air of a room. Harvey.

4. To winnow; to fan; as, to ventilate wheat.

5. To sift and examine; to bring out, and subject to penetrating scrutiny; to expose to examination and discussion; as, to ventilate questions of policy. Ayliffe.

6. To give vent; to utter; to make public. Macaulay took occasion to ventilate one of those starling, but not very profound, paradoxes. J. C. Shairp.

t. [imp. & p. p. Ventilated; p. pr. & vb. n. Ventilating.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913