foment
[ foh-ment ]
/ foʊˈmɛnt /
verb (used with object)
to instigate or foster (discord, rebellion, etc.); promote the growth or development of: to foment trouble; to foment discontent.
to apply warm water or medicated liquid, ointments, etc., to (the surface of the body).
Origin of foment
OTHER WORDS FROM foment
fo·ment·er, noun un·fo·ment·ed, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH foment
ferment fomentWords nearby foment
folsom,
folsom man,
folsom point,
folía,
fomalhaut,
foment,
fomentation,
fomes,
fomite,
fomites,
fomo
Example sentences from the Web for foment
British Dictionary definitions for foment
foment
/ (fəˈmɛnt) /
verb (tr)
to encourage or instigate (trouble, discord, etc); stir up
med
to apply heat and moisture to (a part of the body) to relieve pain and inflammation
Derived forms of foment
fomentation (ˌfəʊmɛnˈteɪʃən), noun fomenter, nounWord Origin for foment
C15: from Late Latin
fōmentāre, from Latin
fōmentum a poultice, ultimately from
fovēre to foster
usage for foment
Both
foment and
ferment can be used to talk about stirring up trouble:
he was accused of fomenting/fermenting unrest . Only
ferment can be used intransitively or as a noun:
his anger continued to ferment (not
foment);
rural areas were unaffected by the ferment in the cities