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Dictionary definition for: Ferment
1. (n) a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced a new leadership" "social unrest"
2. (v) be in an agitated or excited state; "The Middle East is fermenting" "Her mind ferments"
3. (n) a substance capable of bringing about fermentation
4. (v) work up into agitation or excitement; "Islam is fermenting Africa"
5. (n) a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol
6. (v) 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"
7. (n) a chemical phenomenon in which an organic molecule splits into simpler substances
8. (v) go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured" "The wine worked" "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out"
WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved.