English noun: ferment | |||
1. | ferment (state) a state of agitation or turbulent change or development | ||
Samples | The political ferment produced new leadership. Social unrest. | ||
Synonyms | agitation, fermentation, tempestuousness, unrest | ||
Broader (hypernym) | Sturm und Drang, turbulence, upheaval | ||
2. | ferment (substance) a substance capable of bringing about fermentation | ||
Broader (hypernym) | substance | ||
3. | ferment (process) a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol | ||
Synonyms | fermentation, fermenting, zymolysis, zymosis | ||
Broader (hypernym) | chemical action, chemical change, chemical process | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bottom fermentation, top fermentation, vinification | ||
English verb: ferment | |||
1. | ferment (emotion) be in an agitated or excited state | ||
Samples | The Middle East is fermenting. Her mind ferments. | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | boil, seethe | ||
2. | ferment (emotion) work up into agitation or excitement | ||
Samples | Islam is fermenting Africa. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | fire up, heat, ignite, inflame, stir up, wake | ||
3. | ferment (change) cause to undergo fermentation | ||
Samples | 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 | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | convert | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | vinify | ||
Cause | ferment, sour, turn, work | ||
Verb group | ferment, sour, turn, work | ||
4. | ferment (change) go sour or spoil | ||
Samples | The milk has soured. The wine worked. The cream has turned--we have to throw it out. | ||
Synonyms | sour, turn, work | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | change state, turn | ||
Verb group | ferment, work | ||