n. | 1. | That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or fermenting beer. | |||
2. | Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation. | ||||
3. | A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation.
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v. t. | 1. | To cause ferment or fermentation in; to set in motion; to excite internal emotion in; to heat. | |||
v. i. | 1. | To undergo fermentation; to be in motion, or to be excited into sensible internal motion, as the constituent particles of an animal or vegetable fluid; to work; to effervesce. | |||
2. | To be agitated or excited by violent emotions. |
Noun | 1. | ferment - a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced a new leadership"; "social unrest" |
2. | ferment - a substance capable of bringing about fermentation | |
3. | ferment - a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol | |
4. | ferment - a chemical phenomenon in which an organic molecule splits into simpler substances Synonyms: fermentation | |
Verb | 1. | ferment - be in an agitated or excited state; "The Middle East is fermenting"; "Her mind ferments" |
2. | ferment - work up into agitation or excitement; "Islam is fermenting Africa" | |
3. | ferment - cause to undergo fermentation; "We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content"; "The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats" Synonyms: work | |
4. | ferment - go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out" |