ferment

[fur-ment, fer-ment]

noun

1. Also called organized ferment. any of a group of living organisms, as yeasts, molds, and certain bacteria, that cause fermentation.

2. Also called unorganized ferment. an enzyme.

3. fermentation.

4. agitation; unrest; excitement; commotion; tumult.

   The new painters worked in a creative ferment.

   The capital lived in a political ferment.

verb (used with object)

1. to act upon as a ferment.

2. to cause to undergo fermentation.

3. to inflame; foment.

   to ferment prejudiced crowds to riot.

4. to cause agitation or excitement in.

   Reading fermented his active imagination.

verb (used without object)

1. to be fermented; undergo fermentation.

2. to seethe with agitation or excitement.

ferment

noun

1. any agent or substance, such as a bacterium, mould, yeast, or enzyme, that causes fermentation

2. another word for fermentation

3. commotion; unrest

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo fermentation

2. to stir up or seethe with excitement

Other Word Forms

• fermentable adjective
• fermentability noun
• fermenter noun
• nonfermentability noun
• nonfermentable adjective
• nonfermented adjective
• nonfermenting adjective
• unfermentable adjective
• unfermented adjective
• unfermenting adjective
• well-fermented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferment¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin fermentum “yeast” (noun), fermentāre “to cause to rise” (verb), equivalent to fer(vēre) “to boil” + -mentum -ment ( def. ); fervent

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferment¹

C15: from Latin fermentum yeast, from fervēre to seethe

Example Sentences

The line between fandom and fermenting cultures blurs, and soon, it seems, a new kind of devotion might take shape: obsessive, meticulous, generous, communal.

From Salon

“They are usually fermented a little more naturally. They have a lighter flavor — almost a little effervescence too,” she explained.

From Salon

"Calling them games of skill is like branding alcohol as fermented juice."

From BBC

In place of fermented grapes stood yellow rice wine, incendiary sorghum liquor and, if the night was long enough, out came a bottle of the latter infused with snake bile, promising virility.

From Salon

In December, he gave a presentation to the agency’s Office of Dietary Supplement Program, claiming that there is “deceptive marketing of dietary supplements and functional foods containing mycelium fermented grain and labeled as ‘mushroom.’”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commotion 
• disquiet 
• excitement 
• frenzy 
• restlessness 
• tumult 
• turbulence 
• unrest 
• upheaval 
• uproar