ferment definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

fer·ment [ fər mént ]

transitive and intransitive verb (past and past participle fer·ment·ed, present participle fer·ment·ing, 3rd person present singular fer·ments)

Definition:

1. subject to or undergo fermentation: to subject something to fermentation, or be subjected to fermentation

2. stir or be stirred up: to stir up somebody or something, or be stirred up

3. develop: to cause, develop, or evolve something, or be developed or evolved

Her brain was continually fermenting new schemes.

noun (plural fer·ments)

Definition:

1. commotion: a state or situation of extreme agitation or commotion about something

2. substance causing fermentation: an agent, enzyme, or cell that causes fermentation

[14th century. < Old French fermenter< Latin fermentum "yeast"]

fer·ment·a·bil·i·ty [ fər mèntə bíllətee ] noun

fer·ment·a·ble [ fər méntəb'l ] adjective

fer·men·ta·tive adjective

Spelling Note


	Do not confuse the spelling of ferment and foment ("cause trouble"), which sound similar. The verb ferment means "subject to the chemical process of fermentation," "stir up," or "develop," as in ferment new ideas. It is this last sense that perhaps most causes confusion with foment, which means "stir up trouble or rebellion."