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ven/vent

viːn · vent

Footsteps coming your way: events, inventions, and all

The picture Footsteps approaching from over there and arriving here. People and happenings both come this way. ven walks toward you; ced walks away from you.

Word roots

Where the picture shows up in ven/vent

  1. something that came out

    The event starts at seven.

    ðiː ɪˈvent stɑːrts æt ˈsevən

    The event begins at seven.

    Something that only existed on the calendar walks out into the world at seven.

    e (out) + vent (come) — what comes out into the world is an event.

  2. standing in the way before it comes

    Wear gloves to prevent burns.

    wer ɡlʌvz tuː prɪˈvent bɜːrnz

    Wear gloves so you don't get burned.

    A gloved hand steps into the path the burn was coming along.

    pre (before) + vent (come) — stepping in front of what is coming is prevention.

  3. coming upon it by chance

    Who invented this machine?

    huː ɪnˈventɪd ðɪs məˈʃiːn

    Who came up with this machine?

    On a road nobody has walked, you come face to face with a thing never seen before.

  4. the place people come together

    The venue for the wedding changed.

    ðə ˈvenjuː fɔːr ðə ˈwedɪŋ tʃeɪndʒd

    The place for the wedding has changed.

    Feet arriving from every direction and gathering at one spot.

  5. coming together and fitting

    This app is convenient for booking.

    ðɪs æp ɪz kənˈviːniənt fɔːr ˈbʊkɪŋ

    Booking with this app is easy.

    What you needed has already come within arm's reach and is waiting there.

All of it in one picture

ven/vent is a foot coming toward you. What walks out into the world is an event; step in front of what is coming and you prevent it; meet something nobody has met before and you have invented it. The spot where people all come together is the venue, and when what you need has already come to your hand, that is convenient. It is not the direction that changes — it is how you meet what is arriving.

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