Vent d’un boulet de canon, Fr. The wind of a cannon ball.
Coup de VENT, Fr. Heavy weather; a squall.
Vent reglé, Fr. A regular wind; such as the trade-wind.
Avoir du VENT, Fr. In farriery; to be pursy.
Vents alizes, Fr. Trade winds.
VENTAIL. That part of a helmet which is made to lift up.
VENTOUSES, Fr. Air-holes, ventilators.
VENTRE, Fr. Belly; womb. When a piece of ordnance is off its carriage, and lies on the ground, it is said, among the French, to be upon its belly—etre sur le ventre.
Se coucher VENTRE à terre. To lie down flat on your face. Le capitaine ordonna à ses soldats de se coucher ventre à terre. The captain ordered his men to lie on their bellies. This frequently occurs in action, when any part of the line or detached body is so posted as to be within reach of the enemy’s cannon, and not sufficiently near to make use of its own musquetry.
Demander pardon VENTRE à terre. To ask pardon in the most abject position.