fer·ment /(ˌ)fɝˈmɛnt/
 酵素,發酵,動亂(vt.)(vi.)(使)發酵,(使)動亂


 fer·ment /(ˌ)fɝˈmɛnt/ 不及物動詞
 酵素


 Fer·ment n.
 1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or fermenting beer.
 Note: ☞ Ferments are of two kinds: (a) Formed or organized ferments. (b) Unorganized or structureless ferments. The latter are now called enzymes and were formerly called soluble ferments or chemical ferments. Ferments of the first class are as a rule simple microscopic vegetable organisms, and the fermentations which they engender are due to their growth and development; as, the acetic ferment, the butyric ferment, etc. See Fermentation. Ferments of the second class, on the other hand, are chemical substances; as a rule they are proteins soluble in glycerin and precipitated by alcohol. In action they are catalytic and, mainly, hydrolytic. Good examples are pepsin of the dastric juice, ptyalin of the salvia, and disease of malt.  Before 1960 the term "ferment" to mean "enzyme" fell out of use.  Enzymes are now known to be globular proteins, capable of catalyzing a wide variety of chemical reactions, not merely hydrolytic.  The full set of enzymes causing production of ethyl alcohol from sugar has been identified and individually purified and studied.  See enzyme.
 2. Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation.
    Subdue and cool the ferment of desire.   --Rogers.
    the nation is in a ferment.   --Walpole.
 3. A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation. [R.]
    Down to the lowest lees the ferment ran.   --Thomson.
 ferment oils, volatile oils produced by the fermentation of plants, and not originally contained in them. These were the quintessences of the alchemists.


 Fer·ment v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fermented; p. pr. & vb. n. Fermenting.]  To cause ferment or fermentation in; to set in motion; to excite internal emotion in; to heat.
    Ye vigorous swains! while youth ferments your blood.   --Pope.


 Fer·ment, v. i.
 1. To undergo fermentation; to be in motion, or to be excited into sensible internal motion, as the constituent particles of an animal or vegetable fluid; to work; to effervesce.
 2. To be agitated or excited by violent emotions.
    But finding no redress, ferment and rage.   --Milton.
    The intellect of the age was a fermenting intellect.   --De Quincey.

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 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: be in an agitated or excited state; "The Middle East is
           fermenting"; "Her mind ferments"
      2: work up into agitation or excitement; "Islam is fermenting
         Africa"
      3: 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]
      4: 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]