Ferment

Definitions

1. Something, such as a yeast or barm, that causes fermentation.
2. A state of agitation or of turbulent change.
3. A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation.
4. A catalyst.

Equivalents

Examples

“Subdue and cool the ferment of desire.”

“14 November, 1770, Junius, letter to the Right Honourable Lord Mansfield The nation is in a ferment.”

“Clad in a Persian-Renaissance gown and a widow's tiara of white batiste, Mrs Thoroughfare, in all the ferment of a Marriage-Christening, left her chamber on vapoury autumn day and descending a few stairs, and climbing a few others, knocked a trifle brusquely at her son's wife's door.”

“Proponents of the broken windows theory assume⟳ that [disorder] means a neighborhood has lost control⟳ and doesn't care about crime. But surely there are other plausible meanings. It could signal artistic ferment, a youth hangout, rebellion, or an alternative lifestyle.”

“A Rage of Pleaſure madden'd every Breaſt, / Down to the loweſt Lees the Ferment ran: [...]”

CEFR level