ferment

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

Related to FERMENT

Synonyms

abet, brew, incite, foment, instigate, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up)

Related Words

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate; detonate, set, set off, trigger; excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse; activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalize

Near Antonyms

bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame; allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Rhymes with FERMENT

absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent

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

Related to FERMENT

Synonyms

disquiet, unrest, fermentation, restiveness, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, turmoil, uneasiness, unquietness

Antonyms

calm, ease, peace, peacefulness, quiet, tranquillity (or tranquility)

Related Words

fidgets; agitation, commotion, confusion, excitement, hubbub, moil, stir, storm, trouble, tumult, tumultuousness, turbulence, upheaval, uproar, unsettlement; disruption, perturbation; agitation, anxiety, disquietude, inquietude, queasiness, tension, unease; anarchy, chaos, disorder, welter

Near Antonyms

order, orderliness

Other Biochemistry Terms

bile, biodegradable, capsaicin, keratin, metabolism