Definition of "ferment" []

• Something, such as a yeast, bacterium, mold, or enzyme, that causes fermentation. (noun)
• Fermentation. (noun)
• A state of agitation or of turbulent change or development. (noun)
• An agent that precipitates or is capable of precipitating such a state; a catalyst. (noun)
• To produce by or as if by fermentation. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "It has been known for a long time that the pancreatic juice contains all the three ferments which act on the major food substances - a protein ferment, which is different from the gastric ferment, a starch ferment and a fat ferment."
• "Or did you notice? — and I wonder what all the ferment is about."
• "Copyright and patent are in ferment because of the digital revolution."