ferment
fer-MENT
/fərˈmɛnt/
To undergo a chemical change in which sugar is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeast or bacteria.
While often used for alcohol, it also applies to yogurt, kimchi, and bread; metaphorically, it refers to a state of social agitation.
The story behind the word. Ancient observers saw the bubbles produced during brewing and thought the cool liquid was actually boiling. This led to the Latin 'fervere', which eventually gave us the word for this microbial magic.
Word relationships
- leaven: Specifically refers to the rising of dough in baking.
- brew: A broader term for the entire process of making beer or tea.
- preserve: To prevent chemical or microbial change rather than encourage it.
Commonly confused with
- foment: Foment means to instigate or stir up trouble, while ferment is a chemical process or a state of agitation.
Word family
- fermentation (noun): The process of fermenting.
- fermentable (adjective): Capable of being fermented.
Collocations
- naturally ferment
- fermenting vat
- spontaneous fermentation
Idioms & expressions
- in a ferment
Example sentences
- "If the temperature is too low, the yeast will fail to ferment the sugars in the wort." Scientific observation of the brewing process.
- "The whole of the city was in a ferment after the controversial decree was announced." Describing social unrest (metaphorical).
Memory hook
Think of 'fervent' (passionate/hot) heat; fermentation looks like a hot, bubbling pot. Ferment = Fervent bubbles.
When not to use
Do not use for simple rotting or decay where no beneficial microbial transformation is occurring.
Fun facts
- Until Louis Pasteur's work in the 1850s, people thought fermentation was a purely chemical reaction, not a biological one involving living yeast.
Related words
Explore more words
fermentation, metabolism, catalyze, catalyst, enzyme, compost
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