ferment etymology

Etymology

The word "ferment" comes from the Latin word "fervere," meaning "to seethe" or "to boil."

Meaning

Ferment means:

  • To undergo or cause a chemical change typically involving the action of microorganisms (e.g., yeast) that convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, as in the production of wine, beer, bread, etc.
  • To stir up or excite strong emotions or reactions in someone or something (e.g., to ferment a rebellion)
  • (Biology) To activate or stimulate (e.g., an enzyme)

Origin

The Latin verb "fervere" is derived from the Indo-European root *bher-, meaning "to boil" or "to bubble." The same root is found in other words related to fermentation, such as "fermentum" (yeast) and "fermentatio" (the process of fermentation).

ferment relate terms

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  • ferment

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  • braise

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  • bratwurst

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  • brawn

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  • brawny

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  • braze

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  • brazier

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  • Brazil

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  • bread

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  • breed

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  • brew

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  • broth

    Etymology The word broth is derived from the Old French word bruet which in turn ca

  • broil

    Etymology The word broil comes from the Old French word broiller which means to gr

  • brood

    Etymology The word brood comes from the Middle English word brod which is derived fr

  • effervesce

    Etymology From Middle French effervescer to bubble From Latin effervescere to bub

  • effervescence

    Etymology French effervescence Latin effervescentia from effervescere meaning to b

  • effervescent

    Etymology The word effervescent comes from the Latin word effervescere meaning to

  • embroil

    Etymology The word embroil derives from the Old French word embroller which in turn

  • ferment

    Etymology The word ferment comes from the Latin word fervere meaning to seethe or

  • fervent

    Etymology Old French fervent Latin fervens boiling hot Proto Indo European b

  • fervid

    Etymology Medieval Latin fervidus hot glowing fiery ardent Latin fervere to

  • fervor

    Etymology The word fervor comes from the Latin word fervere which means to boil se

  • imbroglio

    Etymology French imbroglio from Italian imbroglio from the verb imbrogliare to entan

  • work

    Etymology The word work comes from the Old English word weorc which means to do t

  • sour

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  • turn

    Etymology The word turn comes from the Old English word turnian meaning to cause to

  • boil

    Etymology Origin Old French boillir Latin bullire Indo European bhel to bubble

  • cheese

    Etymology The word cheese originates from the Latin word caseus which means cheese

  • substance

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  • convert

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  • wake

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  • seethe

    Etymology The word seethe comes from the Middle English word sethen which in turn co

  • agitation

    Etymology Origin Latin agitatio Meaning shaking stirring Meaning Agitation r