fer|ment

fer|ment «verb. fuhr MEHNT; noun. FUR mehnt», verb, noun.

–v.i.

1. to undergo a gradual chemical change in which substances, especially bacteria or yeast, change sugar into alcohol and produce carbon dioxide. Vinegar is formed when cider ferments.

2. to be excited; seethe with agitation or unrest: »

His mind was fermenting with plans for the vacation.

–v.t.

1. to cause to ferment. Enzymes help ferment animal and vegetable matter. »

Yeasts often ferment food, or make it alcoholic (John T. R. Nickerson).

2. to act on as a ferment.

3. Figurative. to cause unrest in; excite; agitate: »

the Christianity which fermented Europe (Emerson).

4. Figurative. to inflame; foment; exacerbate.

–n.

1. a substance that causes others to ferment. Ferments are of two kinds: organized ferments and unorganized ferments. yeast is a ferment. Enzymes are ferments.

2. the act or process of fermenting; fermentation.

3. Figurative. excitement; agitation; unrest; tumult: »

The school was in a ferment. Rumors of war caused ferment throughout the country.

╂[< Latin fermentāre < fermentum leaven, related to fervere to boil]