ferment
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3 ENTRIES FOUND:

1fer·ment

verb \(ˌ)fər-ˈment\

Definition of FERMENT

intransitive verb
1
: to undergo fermentation
2
: to be in a state of agitation or intense activity
transitive verb
1
: to cause to undergo fermentation
2
: to work up (as into a state of agitation) : foment
fer·ment·able \-ˈmen-tə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of FERMENT

  1. The wine ferments in oak barrels.
  2. Yeast ferments the sugar in the juice.

First Known Use of FERMENT

14th century

2fer·ment

noun \ˈfər-ˌment also (ˌ)fər-ˈ\

Definition of FERMENT

1
a : a living organism (as a yeast) that causes fermentation by virtue of its enzymes
b : enzyme
2
a : a state of unrest : agitation
b : a process of active often disorderly development <the great period of creative ferment in literature — William Barrett>

Examples of FERMENT

  1. The city was in a state of ferment after the election.
  2. <the city was in ferment as its residents nervously awaited the airborne invasion that was sure to come>

Origin of FERMENT

Middle English, from Latin fermentum yeast — more at barm
First Known Use: 15th century

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