ferment

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

   The political ferment produced new leadership.

2. 2
   verb

   cause to undergo fermentation

   We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content.

3. 3
   verb

   work up into agitation or excitement

   Islam is fermenting Africa.

4. 4
   verb

   be in an agitated or excited state

   The Middle East is fermenting.

From Middle English ferment, from Middle French ferment, from Latin fermentāre (“to leaven, ferment”), from fermentum (“substance causing fermentation”), from fervēre (“to boil, seethe”). See also fervent.

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