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Ferment - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Ferment : (noun)
1: a state of agitation or turbulent change or development;
"the political ferment produced a new leadership";
"social unrest" [syn: agitation, fermentation, unrest]
2: a substance capable of bringing about fermentation
3: a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to
break down into simpler substances; especially, the
anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol [syn: zymosis,
zymolysis, fermentation, fermenting]
4: a chemical phenomenon in which an organic molecule splits
into simpler substances [syn: fermentation]
(verb)
1: be in an agitated or excited state; "The Middle East is
fermenting"; "Her mind ferments"
2: work up into agitation or excitement; "Islam is fermenting
Africa"
3: 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" [syn: work]
4: go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked";
"The cream has turned--we have to throw it out" [syn: sour,
turn, work]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Ferment : \Fer"ment\, n. [L. fermentum ferment (in senses 1 & 2),
perh. for fervimentum, fr. fervere to be boiling hot, boil,
ferment: cf. F. ferment. Cf. 1st Barm, Fervent.]
1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or
fermenting beer.
Note: Ferments are of two kinds: ({a) Formed or organized
ferments. ({b) Unorganized or structureless ferments.
The latter are also called soluble or chemical
ferments, and enzymes. Ferments of the first class
are as a rule simple microscopic vegetable organisms,
and the fermentations which they engender are due to
their growth and development; as, the acetic ferment,
the butyric ferment, etc. See Fermentation.
Ferments of the second class, on the other hand, are
chemical substances, as a rule soluble in glycerin and
precipitated by alcohol. In action they are catalytic
and, mainly, hydrolytic. Good examples are pepsin of
the dastric juice, ptyalin of the salvia, and disease
of malt.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Ferment : \Fer*ment"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fermented; p. pr. &
vb. n. Fermenting.] [L. fermentare, fermentatum: cf. F.
fermenter. See Ferment, n.]
To cause ferment of fermentation in; to set in motion; to
excite internal emotion in; to heat.
Ye vigorous swains! while youth ferments your blood.
--Pope.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Ferment : \Fer*ment"\, v. i.
1. To undergo fermentation; to be in motion, or to be excited
into sensible internal motion, as the constituent
oarticles of an animal or vegetable fluid; to work; to
effervesce.
2. To be agitated or excited by violent emotions.
But finding no redress, ferment an rage. --Milton.
The intellect of the age was a fermenting intellect.
--De Quincey.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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