Fermentation

n.	1.	(Physiol. Chem.) The process of undergoing an effervescent change, as by the action of yeast;
	2.	A state of agitation or excitement, as of the intellect or the feelings. It puts the soul to fermentation and activity. - Jer. Taylor. A univesal fermentation of human thought and faith. - C. Kingsley. Acetous fermentation a form of oxidation in which alcohol is converted into vinegar or acetic acid by the agency of a specific fungus (Mycoderma aceti) or series of enzymes. The process involves two distinct reactions, in which the oxygen of the air is essential. An intermediate product, acetaldehyde, is formed in the first process.

Noun	1.	fermentation - a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol Synonyms: fermenting, zymolysis, zymosis, ferment
	2.	fermentation - a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced a new leadership"; "social unrest" Synonyms: ferment, unrest, agitation
	3.	fermentation - a chemical phenomenon in which an organic molecule splits into simpler substances Synonyms: ferment

Pronunciation: (FER-mun-TAY-shun)

The process of bacteria breaking down undigested food and releasing alcohols, acids, and gases.

acescence, acetification, acidification, acidulation, ado, agitation, alkalization, bluster, bobbery, boil, boiling, brouhaha, bubbliness, bubbling, bustle, carbonation, catalysis, chemicalization, churn, commotion, conturbation, discomposure, disorder, disquiet, disquietude, disturbance, ebullience, ebulliency, ebullition, eddy, effervescence, effervescency, electrolysis, embroilment, excitement, feery-fary, ferment, fever, feverishness, fidgets, fizz, fizzle, flap, flurry, fluster, flutteration, foaming, foment, frothiness, frothing, fume, fuss, hubbub, hurly-burly, hurry, hurry-scurry, hydrogenation, inquietude, isomerism, jitters, jumpiness, leaven, leavening, maelstrom, malaise, metamerism, metamerization, moil, nerviness, nervosity, nervousness, nitration, oxidation, oxidization, pell-mell, perturbation, phosphatization, polymerism, polymerization, position isomerism, reduction, restlessness, roil, rout, row, ruffle, saturization, seethe, seething, souring, sparkle, spumescence, stir, swirl, swirling, to-do, trepidation, trepidity, tumult, tumultuation, turbidity, turbulence, turmoil, twitter, unease, unrest, uproar, upset, vortex, whirl, working, yeastiness