1. Cause to undergo fermentation
   "We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content";
   - work
    
2. Go sour or spoil
   "The milk has fermented";
   - sour, turn, work
    
3. Be in an agitated or excited state
   "The Middle East is fermenting"; "Her mind ferments"
    
4. Work up into agitation or excitement
   "This religion is fermenting Africa"

1. A state of agitation or turbulent change or development
   "the political ferment produced new leadership";
   - agitation, fermentation, tempestuousness, unrest
    
2. [archaic] A substance capable of bringing about fermentation
   "Yeast is a common ferment used in bread-making"

Derived forms: ferments, fermenting, fermented

Type of: boil, change state, convert, fire up, heat, ignite, inflame, seethe, stir up, Sturm und Drang, turbulence, turn, upheaval, wake

Encyclopedia: Ferment