éventer

Senses

1. 1.

   to fan

   to cool or refresh with a fan or by waving

2. 2.

   to expose to air; to ventilate

   to allow air circulation through something

3. 3.

   to reveal; to uncover

   to expose or disclose a secret, plot, or identity

4. 4.

   to split (of wood)

   to crack or split open due to drying

Examples

• "Elle l'éventait avec un grand éventail pour le rafraîchir."

  She was fanning him with a large fan to cool him down.

• "Il a éventé le complot avant qu'il ne soit trop tard."

  He exposed the plot before it was too late.

• "Le bois s'est éventé au soleil."

  The wood split in the sun.

Usage

Éventer is a regular -er verb. The sense "to reveal" is somewhat literary or formal. The reflexive form s'éventer can mean "to fan oneself" or "to split/crack" depending on context. Avoid confusing with "eventail" (fan, but that's a noun).