ferment (ferment)

[= F. fermenter = Sp. Pg. fermentar = It. ferment are, One, whose spirit was fermented with the leaven of the Pharisees. Stilling fleet , Sermons, I. iv. 3. Figuratively, to set in agitation; excite; arouse. Ye vigorous swains! while youth ferments your blood And purer spirits swell the sprightly flood, Now range the hills, the gameful woods beset, Wind the shrill horn, or spread the waving net. Pope , Windsor Forest, 1. 93. Fermenting-vat, in brewing , a tun or tank which holds the wort during the fermentation caused by the addition of the yeast. II. in trans. 1. To undergo fermentation. If wine or cider do ferment twice, it will be harder than if it had fermented but once. Neile, Cider, quoted in Evelyn's Pomona. 2. Figuratively, to be in agitation; be excited, as by violent emotions or pa ions, or great problems. There is a War, questionle a fermenting against the Howell, Letters, I. ii. 24. Protestants. IMG:content-1228.png:[blocks in formation] Newman, it would seem, was unwilling to admit of the fermentability of milk. A. Hunter , Georgical E ays, i. 197. fermentable (fèr-men'ta-bl), a. [ ferment + -able.] Capable of fermentation: thus, cider, beer of all kinds, wine, and other vegetable liquors are fermentable . Also fermentible . ferment alt (fér-men'tal), a . [ -al .] Having power to effect fermentation. That, containing little salt or spirit, they [cucumbers] may also debilitate the vital acidity and fer mental faculty of the stomack, we readily concede. Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., ii. 7.