ventail

noun /ˈvɛn.teɪl/

1. The movable front part of a medieval helmet, originally including the visor but later specifically the separate lower section.

   historical

   A comely knight, all arm'd in complete wize, / Through whose bright ventayle lifted vp on hye / His manly face [...] Lookt foorth [...].

2. A vent or breathing-hole in a medieval helmet, for the admission of air.

   historical, rare

   398. ventayles : a pun on ventails, 'something acting as a sail or fan', and ventails, the air holes or vents in the vizor of a helmet.

Where it comes from

From Middle English ventaile (“mail over lower face and neck; lower front piece of helmet; air hole in helmet”), from Old French ventaille (“lower opening in helmet for air”). Related to aventail.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry ventail (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← venitiveventriduct →

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