outlet

Meanings

1. A vent or similar passage to allow the escape of something.
2. Something which allows for the release of one's desires.
3. A river that runs out of a lake.
4. A shop that sells the products of a particular manufacturer or supplier.
5. A wall-mounted socket connected to an electrical power supply, at which current can be taken to run electrical devices.

Etymology

From Middle English outlete, outeleate, ut-lete, derived from Middle English outleten (“to allow, let out, emit”), equivalent to out- + let. Compare West Frisian útlit (“outlet”), Dutch uitlaat (“outlet”), German Auslass (“outlet”).