ventail

Meanings

1. Synonym of aventail (“mail curtain or flap, on a helmet or a mail coif, that protects the lower face and neck”).
2. The movable front part of a medieval helmet, originally including the visor but later specifically the separate lower section.
3. A vent or breathing-hole in a medieval helmet, for the admission of air.

Etymology

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.