Also called organized ferment. any of a group of living organisms, as yeasts, molds, and certain bacteria, that cause fermentation.

Also called unorganized ferment. an enzyme.

fermentation.

agitation; unrest; excitement; commotion; tumult

The new painters worked in a creative ferment. The capital lived in a political ferment.

to act upon as a ferment.

to cause to undergo fermentation.

to inflame; foment

to ferment prejudiced crowds to riot.

to cause agitation or excitement in

Reading fermented his active imagination.

to be fermented; undergo fermentation.

to seethe with agitation or excitement.

noun

calm , contentedness , happiness , peace , pleasure

noun

bacteria , bacterium , barm , ebullition , enzyme , fermentation agent , leaven , leavening , mold , seethe , simmer , yeast , ailment , brouhaha , clamor , commotion , convulsion , disquiet , disquietude , disruption , disturbance , excitement , fever , flap , frenzy , furor , fuss , heat , hell broke loose , hubbub , imbroglio , outcry , restiveness , restlessness , row , rumble , scene , state of unrest , stew * , stink * , stir , storm , to-do * , tumult , turbulence , turmoil , unrest , upheaval , uproar , upturn , sturm und drang

verb

acidify , be violent , boil , brew , bubble , churn , concoct , dissolve , effervesce , evaporate , excite , fester , fizz , foam , foment , froth , heat , incite , inflame , leaven , moil , overflow , provoke , ripen , rise , rouse , seethe , simmer , sour , sparkle , stir up , work , burn , smolder , agitate , barm , catalyst , commotion , disorder , enzyme , excitement , fever , stew , tumult , turbulence , turn , uproar , yeast