— fermentable , adj. — fermentability , n.
n. /ferr"ment/ ; v. /feuhr ment"/ , n.
1. Also called organized ferment . any of a group of living organisms, as yeasts, molds, and certain bacteria, that cause fermentation.
2. Also called unorganized ferment . an enzyme.
3. fermentation.
4. agitation; unrest; excitement; commotion; tumult: The new painters worked in a creative ferment. The capital lived in a political ferment.
v.t.
5. to act upon as a ferment.
6. to cause to undergo fermentation.
7. to inflame; foment: to ferment prejudiced crowds to riot.
8. to cause agitation or excitement in: Reading fermented his active imagination.
v.i.
9. to be fermented; undergo fermentation.
10. to seethe with agitation or excitement.
[ 1350-1400; ME fermentum yeast (n.), fermentare to cause to rise (v.); akin to BARM, L fervere to boil ]