Obs. [f. prec.: see -ATION. Cf. It. eventilatione (Florio).]
1. a. The action of fanning, or of supplying fresh air. b. The action of winnowing; also of scattering to the winds. c. Aeration (of blood, humours, etc.).
a. 1643. J. H[owell], Parables on Times, 15. Nothing could be … so directly opposite to his soft gentle breeses and eventilations.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), I. VI. xxxv. 225. This heat … is … a generative gentle heat joyn’d with moysture, nor needs it ayr for eventilation. Ibid. (1651), Venice, 33. By reason of the fresh breezes and eventilations of the circumjacent Sea.
1721–1800. Bailey, Eventilation, a Winnowing.
b. 1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Anemone, Which, by means of that Eventilation, sends out the Seed in such a Manner as it is proper to be sown.
1767. A. Campbell, Lexiph. (1774), 110. My cudgel … shall soon disseminate, by a rapid eventilation, the brains in his pericranium.
c. 1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., VI. 161/2. Lest it should obstruct and hinder eventilation by its clamminess. Ibid., XI. 378/2. The Skull being carefully opened … he was recovered by the eventilation of his Brain.
1744. Berkeley, Siris, § 205. 95. It [vital flame] requires constant eventilation, through the trachea and pores of the body.
¶ Used for: What is ‘vented’ or belched forth.
1716. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., II. 238. There remains scarce any thing now of all their Factions and Frothy Eventilations or Productions of any kind.
2. The action of laying open to discussion; an examination, discussion.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), III. ix. 21. In the search and eventilation of naturall verities. Ibid. (1651), Venice, 148. Alter some Eventilations of the matters, this Answer was sent.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Eventilation … a strict examining … or sifting of a Business.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
