ferment
UK: /fəˈment/ | US: /fərˈment/
n. 1. A state of agitation or turbulent change.
n. 2. A substance (e.g., yeast) causing fermentation.
vt. 1. To cause fermentation in (a substance).
vi. 1. To undergo fermentation.
The word ferment traces back to Latin fermentum (leaven, yeast), derived from fervēre (to boil). The connection between boiling and fermentation lies in the visible bubbling and chemical transformation, metaphorically extending to social or emotional agitation. Over time, ferment retained its dual meanings—literal (biological process) and figurative (turmoil).
The juice began to ferment after a few days in the warm room.
Political ferment spread through the country after the controversial decision.
Yeast is added to the dough to ferment the sugars and produce carbon dioxide.
The scientist studied the ferment of bacteria in the lab.
His mind was in a constant ferment of new ideas.