verb , noun
■ verb
/ fəˈment; NAmE fərˈm-/ to experience a chemical change because of the action of yeast or bacteria, often changing sugar to alcohol; to make sth change in this way :
[ v ]
Fruit juices ferment if they are kept for too long.
( figurative )
A blend of emotions fermented inside her.
[ vn ]
Red wine is fermented at a higher temperature than white.
► fer·men·ta·tion / ˌfɜːmenˈteɪʃn; NAmE ˌfɜːrm-/ noun [ U ]
■ noun
/ ˈfɜːment; NAmE ˈfɜːrm-/ [ U , sing. ] ( formal ) a state of political or social excitement and confusion :
The country is in ferment.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French ferment (noun), fermenter (verb), based on Latin fermentum yeast, from fervere to boil.