Ferment

Pronunciation

(verb)

RP IPA: /fÉ™ËˆmÉ›nt/
GenAm IPA: /fÉšËˆmÉ›nt/

(noun)

RP IPA: /ËˆfÉœËmÉ›nt/
GenAm IPA: /ËˆfÉmÉ›nt/

Origin

From Middle French ferment, from Latin fermentare ("to leaven, ferment"), from fermentum ("substance causing fermentation"), from fervere ("to boil, seethe"). See also fervent.

Full definition of ferment

Verb

To react, using fermentation; especially to produce alcohol by aging or by allowing yeast to act on sugars; to brew.
To stir up, agitate, cause unrest or excitement in.

Alexander PopeYe vigorous swains! while youth ferments your blood.

Noun

ferment

(plural ferments)

Something, such as a yeast or barm, that causes fermentation.
A state of agitation or of turbulent change.

RogersSubdue and cool the ferment of desire.
WalpoleThe nation is in a ferment.

A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation.

ThomsonDown to the lowest lees the ferment ran.

A catalyst.

Anagrams

fretmen