fermentation

 
Pronunciation: /fəːmɛnˈteɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms, typically involving effervescence and the giving off of heat: the fermentation of organic matter by micro-organisms in the gut
  • the fermentation process involved in the making of beers, wines, and spirits, in which sugars are converted to ethyl alcohol.
  • 2 archaic agitation; excitement: I had found Paris in high fermentation

Derivatives

fermentative

Pronunciation: /-ˈmɛntətɪv/
adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from late Latin fermentatio(n-), from Latin fermentare 'to ferment' (see ferment)