ferment (
http://definr.com/ferment)
n 1: a state of agitation or turbulent change or development:
"the political ferment produced a new leadership";
"social unrest" [syn:
agitation,
fermentation,
unrest]
2: a substance capable of bringing about fermentation
3: a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to
break down into simpler substances; especially, the
anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol [syn:
zymosis,
zymolysis,
fermentation,
fermenting]
4: a chemical phenomenon in which an organic molecule splits
into simpler substances [syn:
fermentation]
v 1: cause to undergo fermentation; "We ferment the grapes for a
very long time to achieve high alcohol content"; "The
vintner worked the wine in big oak vats" [syn:
work]
2: go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked";
"The cream has turned--we have to throw it out" [syn:
sour,
turn,
work]