An archaic term meaning to split open or disembowel, or to venture forth boldly.
From Old French aventrer, combining a- (to) + ventre (belly, from Latin venter). Originally meant to split the belly or thrust a weapon into the abdomen, but evolved to mean taking bold risks generally.
This word shows how violently descriptive medieval language was—early meanings were very literal and brutal, but as time passed, people started using 'ventre' words more metaphorically for courage and risk-taking, softening the actual violence underneath.
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