Fermentation - Fertile

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Fermentation (fẽrmĕntāshŭn), n. [Cf. F. fermentation.] 1. The process of undergoing an effervescent change, as by the action of yeast; in a wider sense (Physiol. Chem.), the transformation of an organic substance into new compounds by the action of a , whether in the form of living organisms or enzymes. It differs in kind according to the nature of the ferment which causes it. In industrial microbiology fermentation usually refers to the production of chemical substances by use of microorganisms.
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2. A state of agitation or excitement, as of the intellect or the feelings.
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It puts the soul to fermentation and activity. Jer. Taylor.
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A univesal fermentation of human thought and faith. C. Kingsley.
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Coloq. Acetous fermentation or Coloq. Acetic fermentation , a form of oxidation in which alcohol is converted into vinegar or acetic acid by the agency of a specific fungus (Mycoderma aceti) or series of enzymes. The process involves two distinct reactions, in which the oxygen of the air is essential. An intermediate product, acetaldehyde, is formed in the first process.
1. C2H6O + O → H2O + C2H4O Alcohol. Water. Acetaldehyde.
2. C2H4O + O → C2H4O2 Acetaldehyde. Acetic acid.
-- Coloq. Alcoholic fermentation , the fermentation which saccharine bodies undergo when brought in contact with the yeast plant or Torula. The sugar is converted, either directly or indirectly, into alcohol and carbonic acid, the rate of action being dependent on the rapidity with which the Torulæ develop. -- Coloq. Ammoniacal fermentation , the conversion of the urea of the urine into ammonium carbonate, through the growth of the special urea ferment.
CON2H4 + 2H2O = (NH4)2CO3 Urea. Water. Ammonium carbonate.
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Whenever urine is exposed to the air in open vessels for several days it undergoes this alkaline fermentation. -- Coloq. Butyric fermentation , the decomposition of various forms of organic matter, through the agency of a peculiar worm-shaped vibrio, with formation of more or less butyric acid. It is one of the many forms of fermentation that collectively constitute putrefaction. See Lactic fermentation. -- Coloq. enzymatic fermentation or Coloq. Fermentation by an unorganized ferment . Fermentations of this class are purely chemical reactions, in which the enzyme acts as a simple catalytic agent. Of this nature are the decomposition or inversion of cane sugar into levulose and dextrose by boiling with dilute acids, the conversion of starch into dextrin and sugar by similar treatment, the conversion of starch into like products by the action of diastase of malt or ptyalin of saliva, the conversion of albuminous food into peptones and other like products by the action of pepsin-hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice or by the ferment of the pancreatic juice. -- Coloq. Fermentation theory of disease (Biol. & Med.), the theory that most if not all, infectious or zymotic disease are caused by the introduction into the organism of the living germs of ferments, or ferments already developed (organized ferments), by which processes of fermentation are set up injurious to health. See . -- Coloq. Glycerin fermentation , the fermentation which occurs on mixing a dilute solution of glycerin with a peculiar species of schizomycetes and some carbonate of lime, and other matter favorable to the growth of the plant, the glycerin being changed into butyric acid, caproic acid, butyl, and ethyl alcohol. With another form of bacterium (Bacillus subtilis) ethyl alcohol and butyric acid are mainly formed. -- Coloq. Lactic fermentation , the transformation of milk sugar or other saccharine body into lactic acid, as in the souring of milk, through the agency of a special bacterium (Bacterium lactis of Lister). In this change the milk sugar, before assuming the form of lactic acid, presumably passes through the stage of glucose.
C12H22O11.H2O --> 4C3H6O3 Hydrated milk sugar. Lactic acid.
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In the lactic fermentation of dextrose or glucose, the lactic acid which is formed is very prone to undergo butyric fermentation after the manner indicated in the following equation: 2C3H6O3 (lactic acid) --> C4H8O2 (butyric acid) + 2CO2 (carbonic acid) + 2H2 (hydrogen gas). -- Coloq. Putrefactive fermentation . See .
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Fermentation tank. a tank in which fermentations are carried out.
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Fermentative (?), a. [Cf. F. fermentatif.] Causing, or having power to cause, fermentation; produced by fermentation; fermenting; as, a fermentative process.

-- Fermentatively, adv. -- Fermentativeness, n.
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Fermenter (?), n. an apparatus for carrying out by a liquid suspension of microorganisms; a fermentation tank; as, an industrial fermenter. Laboratiory and industrial fermenters are usually equipped with a means of stirring the contained liquid so as to avoid settling of the fermenting organisms, and often have other, sometimes elaborate, mechanisms to control conditions of the fermentation, such as temperature, degree of aeration, or pH. The main structures of large industrial fermenters are typically made of steel.
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Fermerere (?), n. [OF. enfermerier, fr. enfermerie infirmary. See .] The officer in a religious house who had the care of the infirmary. [Obs.]
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Fermeture (?), n. [F., fr. fermer to close.] (Mil.) The mechanism for closing the breech of a breech-loading firearm, in artillery consisting principally of the breechblock, obturator, and carrier ring.
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Fermillet (?), n. [OF., dim. of fermeil, fermail, clasp, prob. fr. OF. & F. fermer to make fast, fr. ferme fast. See .] A buckle or clasp. [Obs.] Donne.
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fermion n. any particle that obeys Fermi-Dirac statistcs and is subject to the Pauli exclusion principle.
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fermium n. the transuranic element of atomic number 100; symbol Fm. The atomic weight of the most stable isotope, having a half-life of about 80 days, is 257. The first isotope, Fm²⁵⁵ was discovered in 1952 in the debris of a thermonuclear explosion. Other istopes have been produced in nuclear reactors and by decay of other transuranic elements. Handb. Ch. Phys. 61.
Syn. -- Fm.
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Fern (?), adv. Long ago. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Fern, a. [AS. fyrn.] Ancient; old. [Obs.] “Pilgrimages to . . . ferne halwes.” [saints]. Chaucer.
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Fern (fẽrn), n. [AS. fearn; akin to D. varen, G. farn, farnkraut; cf. Skr. parṇa wing, feather, leaf, sort of plant, or Lith. papartis fern.] (Bot.) An order of cryptogamous plants, the Filices, which have their fructification on the back of the fronds or leaves. They are usually found in humid soil, sometimes grow epiphytically on trees, and in tropical climates often attain a gigantic size.
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☞ The plants are asexual, and bear clustered sporangia, containing minute spores, which germinate and form prothalli, on which are borne the true organs of reproduction. The brake or bracken, the maidenhair, and the polypody are all well known ferns.
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Coloq. Christmas fern . See under . -- Coloq. Climbing fern (Bot.), a delicate North American fern (Lygodium palmatum), which climbs several feet high over bushes, etc., and is much sought for purposes of decoration. -- Coloq. Fern owl . (Zoöl.) (a) The European goatsucker. (b) The short-eared owl. [Prov. Eng.] -- Coloq. Fern shaw , a fern thicket. [Eng.] R. Browning.
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ferned adj. abounding in or covered with ferns. [Narrower terms: braky ] fernless
Syn. -- ferny.
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Fernery (?), n. A place for rearing ferns.
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fernless adj. devoid of ferns. Opposite of ferned.
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fernlike adj. resembling ferns especially in leaf shape; as, the fernlike shadows of locust leaves.
Syn. -- ferny.
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Fernticle (?), n. A freckle on the skin, resembling the seed of fern. [Prov. Eng.]
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Ferny (?), a. 1. Abounding in ferns.
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2. resembling a fern; fernlike.
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Ferocactus n. a genus of nearly globular cacti of Mexico and Southwestern U. S., including some of the barrel cacti.
Syn. -- genus Ferocactus.
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Ferocious (?), a. [L. ferox, -ocis, fierce: cf. F. féroce. See .] Fierce; savage; wild; indicating cruelty; ravenous; rapacious; as, ferocious look or features; a ferocious lion.
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The humbled power of a ferocious enemy. Lowth.

Syn. -- , , , . When these words are applied to human feelings or conduct, ferocious describes the disposition; fierce, the haste and violence of an act; barbarous, the coarseness and brutality by which it was marked; savage, the cruel and unfeeling spirit which it showed. A man is ferocious in his temper, fierce in his actions, barbarous in the manner of carrying out his purposes, savage in the spirit and feelings expressed in his words or deeds.

-- Ferociously, adv. -- Ferociousness, n.
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ferociousness n. the trait of extreme cruelty.
Syn. -- brutality, viciousness, savageness, savagery.
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It [Christianity] has adapted the ferociousness of war. Blair.
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Ferocity (?), n. [L. ferocitas, fr. ferox, -ocis, fierce, kin to ferus wild: cf. F. ferocité. See .] Savage wildness or fierceness; fury; cruelty; as, ferocity of countenance.
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The pride and ferocity of a Highland chief. Macaulay.
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Feroher (?), n. (Archæol.) A symbol of the solar deity, found on monuments exhumed in Babylon, Nineveh, etc.
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Ferous (?), a. [L. ferus. See .] Wild; savage. [R.] Arthur Wilson.
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-ferous (?). [L. -fer. fr. ferre to bear. See to support.] A suffix signifying bearing, producing, yielding; as, auriferous, yielding gold; chyliferous, producing chyle.
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Ferrandine (? or ?), n. [F.; cf. OF. ferrant iron-gray, from L. ferrum iron.] A stuff made of silk and wool.
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I did buy a colored silk ferrandine. Pepys.
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{ Ferranti cables (?), Ferranti mains (?) }. (Elec.) A form of conductor, designed by Ferranti, for currents of high potential, and consisting of concentric tubes of copper separated by an insulating material composed of paper saturated with black mineral wax.
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Ferranti phenomenon. (Elec.) An increase in the ratio of transformation of an alternating current converter, accompanied by other changes in electrical conditions, occurring when the secondary of the converter is connected with a condenser of moderate capacity; -- so called because first observed in connection with the Ferranti cables in London.
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Ferrara (?), n. A sword bearing the mark of one of the Ferrara family of Italy. These swords were highly esteemed in England and Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries.
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Ferrarese (?), a. Pertaining to Ferrara, in Italy. -- n., sing. & pl. A citizen of Ferrara; collectively, the inhabitants of Ferrara.
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Ferraro (?), prop. n. Geraldine Anne Ferraro, a United States politician. Born in 1935, she was a congresswoman from New York in the United States Congress from 1978 to 1984, and ran unsuccessfully in 1984 a candidate for Vice President of the United States, with Walter Mondale as the Presidential candidate. She was the first woman to be nominated by a major U. S. political party for the office of Vice President.
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Ferrary (?), n. [L. ferraria iron works. See .] The art of working in iron. [Obs.] Chapman.
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Ferrate (?), n. [L. ferrum iron.] (Chem.) A salt of ferric acid.

{ Ferre (?), Ferrer (?), a. & adv. } Obs. compar. of .
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Ferreous (?), a. [L. ferreus, fr. ferrum iron. Cf. , .] Partaking of, made of, or pertaining to, iron; like iron. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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Ferrest (?), a. & adv. Obs. superl. of . Chaucer.
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Ferret (?), n. [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur thief (cf. ); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zoöl.) An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes. They are sometimes kept as pets.
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Ferret, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferreted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ferreting.] [Cf. F. fureter. See , n.] To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; -- often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret.
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Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. Shak.
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Ferret, n. [Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F. fleuret. Cf. .] A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; -- called also ferreting.
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Ferret, n. [F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum.] (Glass Making) The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.
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Ferreter (?), n. One who ferrets. Johnson.
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Ferret-eye (?), n. (Zoöl.) The spur-winged goose; -- so called from the red circle around the eyes.
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Ferretto (?), n. [It. ferretto di Spagna, dim. of ferro iron, fr. L. ferrum.] Copper sulphide, used to color glass. Hebert.
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Ferri- (�). (Chem.) A combining form indicating ferric iron as an ingredient; as, ferricyanide.
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Ferriage (?; 48), n. [From .] The price or fare to be paid for passage at a ferry.
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Ferric (?), a. [L. ferrum iron: cf. F. ferrique. See .] Pertaining to, derived from, or containing iron. Specifically (Chem.), denoting those compounds in which iron has a higher valence than in the ferrous compounds; as, ferric oxide; ferric acid.
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Coloq. Ferric acid (Chem.), an acid, H2FeO4, which is not known in the free state, but forms definite salts, analogous to the chromates and sulphates. -- Coloq. Ferric oxide (Chem.), sesquioxide of iron, Fe2O3; hematite. See .
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Ferricyanate (?), n. [Ferri- + cyanate.] (Chem.) A salt of ferricyanic acid; a ferricyanide.
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Ferricyanic (?), a. [Ferri- + cyanic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, a ferricyanide.
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Coloq. Ferricyanic acid (Chem.), a brown crystalline substance, H6(CN)12Fe2, obtained from potassium ferricyanide, and regarded as the type of the ferricyanides; -- called also hydro-ferricyanic acid, hydrogen ferricyanide, etc.
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Ferricyanide (?; 104), n. [Ferri- + cyanide.] (Chem.) One of a complex series of double cyanides of ferric iron and some other base.
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Coloq. Potassium ferricyanide (Chem.), red prussiate of potash; a dark, red, crystalline salt, K6(CN)12Fe2, consisting of the double cyanide of potassium and ferric iron. From it is derived the ferrous ferricyanate, Turnbull's blue.
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Ferrier (?), n. A ferryman. Calthrop.
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Ferriferous (?), a. [L. ferrum iron + -ferous: cf. F. ferrifère.] Producing or yielding iron.
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Ferriprussiate (? or ?; see , 277), n. [Ferri- + prussiate.] (Chem.) A ferricyanate; a ferricyanide. [R.]
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Ferriprussic (? or ?; see , 277), a. [Ferri- + prussic.] (Chem.) Ferricyanic. [R.]
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Ferris wheel (?). An amusement device consisting of a giant power-driven vertically oriented steel wheel, revolvable on its horizontal stationary axle, and carrying a number of balanced passenger cars or open seats around its rim; the seats are suspended so as to remain horizontal as the wheel rotates, and, depending on the size of the wheel, the passengers when they reach the top may have a grand vista of the surrounding area; -- so called after G. W. G. Ferris, American engineer, who erected the first of its kind for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Ferris wheels are often found at traveling fairs and at permanent amusement parks. The Reisenrad in Vienna is one of the world's largest and most famous Ferris wheels.
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Ferro- (�). (Chem.) A prefix, or combining form, indicating ferrous iron as an ingredient; as, ferrocyanide.
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Ferrocalcite (?), n. [Ferro- + calcite.] Limestone containing a large percentage of iron carbonate, and hence turning brown on exposure.
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Ferro-concrete (?), n. (Arch. & Engin.) Concrete strengthened by a core or foundation skeleton of iron or steel bars, strips, etc. Floors, columns, piles, water pipes, etc., have been successfully made of it. Called also armored concrete steel, and most commonly reenforced concrete.
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Ferrocyanate (?), n. [Ferro- + cyanate: cf. F. ferrocyanate.] (Chem.) A salt of ferrocyanic acid; a ferrocyanide.
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Ferrocyanic (?), a. [Ferro- + cyanic: cf. F. ferrocyanique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a ferrocyanide.
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Coloq. ferrocyanic acid (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, H4(CN)6Fe, of strong acid properties, obtained from potassium ferrocyanide, and regarded as the type of the ferrocyanides; -- called also hydro-ferrocyanic acid, hydrogen ferrocyanide. etc.
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Ferrocyanide (? or ?; 104), n. [Ferro- + cyanide.] (Chem.) One of a series of complex double cyanides of ferrous iron and some other base.
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Coloq. Potassium ferrocyanide (Chem.), yellow prussiate of potash; a tough, yellow, crystalline salt, K4(CN)6Fe, the starting point in the manufacture of almost all cyanogen compounds, and the basis of the ferric ferrocyanate, prussian blue. It is obtained by strongly heating together potash, scrap iron, and animal matter containing nitrogen, as horn, leather, blood, etc., in iron pots.
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Ferroprussiate (� or � or �; see , 277), n. [Ferro- + prussiate.] (Chem.) A ferrocyanate; a ferocyanide. [R.]
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Ferroprussic (? or ?; see , 277), a. [Ferro- + prussic.] (Chem.) Ferrocyanic.
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Ferroso- (�). (Chem.) See .
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Ferrotype (?), n. [L. ferrum iron + -type.] A photographic picture taken on an iron plate by a collodion process; -- familiarly called tintype.
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Ferrous (?), a. [Cf. F. ferreux. See .] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, iron; -- especially used of compounds of iron in which the iron has its lower valence of two; as, ferrous sulphate.
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Ferruginated (?), a. [See .] Having the color or properties of the rust of iron.
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Ferrugineous (?), a. Ferruginous. [R.]
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Ferruginous (fĕrrṳjĭnŭs), a. [L. ferruginus, ferrugineus, fr. ferrugo, -ginis, iron rust: cf. F. ferrugineux. See .] 1. Partaking of iron; containing particles of iron. Boyle.
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2. Resembling iron rust in appearance or color; brownish red, or yellowish red.
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Ferrugo (fĕrrṳg�), n. [L., iron rust, fr. ferrum iron.] A disease of plants caused by fungi, commonly called the rust, from its resemblance to iron rust in color.
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Ferrule (fĕrrĭl or fĕrrụl; 277), n. [Formerly verrel, F. virole, fr. L. viriola little bracelet, dim. of viriae, pl., bracelets; prob. akin to viere to twist, weave, and E. withe. The spelling with f is due to confusion with L. ferrum iron.] [Sometimes spelled ferule.] 1. A ring or cap of metal put round a cane, tool, handle, or other similar object, to strengthen it, or prevent splitting and wearing.
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2. (Machinery) Any of various circular or cylindrical metal objects used at joints in a tube, pipe, or rod, especially to assist making a tight seal at a joint.
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3. Hence: (Steam Boilers) A bushing for expanding the end of a flue to fasten it tightly in the tube plate, or for partly filling up its mouth.
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4. Hence: (Chemistry) A bushing used at the joints of metal tubing in HPLC equipment to make a tight seal.
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5. (Fishing) One of several small rings at the top of a casting rod which holds the fishing line. RHUD
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Ferruminate (?), v. t. [L. ferruminatus, p. p. of ferruminare to cement, solder, fr. ferrumen cement, fr. ferrum iron.] To solder or unite, as metals. [R.] Coleridge.
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Ferrumination (?), n. [L. ferruminatio: cf. F. ferrumination.] The soldering or uniting of metals. [R.] Coleridge.
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Ferry (fĕrr�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferried (-rĭd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ferrying.] [OE. ferien to convey, AS. ferian, from faran to go; akin to Icel. ferja to ferry, Goth. farjan to sail. See .] 1. To carry or transport over a river, strait, or other narrow water, in a boat.
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2. To convey back and forth regularly between two points in a vehicle; as, part of her day was spent ferrying the kids to and from school.
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Ferry, v. i. To pass over water in a boat or by a ferry.
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They ferry over this Lethean sound
Both to and fro. Milton.
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Ferry, n.; pl. Ferries (#). [OE. feri; akin to Icel. ferja, Sw. färja, Dan. færge, G. fähre. See , v. t.] 1. A place where persons or things are carried across a river, arm of the sea, etc., in a ferryboat.
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It can pass the ferry backward into light. Milton.
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To row me o'er the ferry. Campbell.
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2. A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over narrow waters; a ferryboat; a wherry.
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3. A franchise or right to maintain a vessel for carrying passengers and freight across a river, bay, etc., charging tolls.
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Coloq. Ferry bridge , a ferryboat adapted in its structure for the transfer of railroad trains across a river or bay. -- Coloq. Ferry railway . See under .
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Ferryboat (?), n. A vessel for conveying passengers, merchandise, etc., usually across streams, rivers, bays, and other narrow waters.
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Ferryman (?), n.; pl. Ferrymen (�). One who maintains or attends a ferry.
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Fers (?), a. Fierce. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Ferthe (?), a. Fourth. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Fertile (? or ?; 277), a. [L. fertilis, fr. ferre to bear, produce: cf. F. fertile. See to support.] 1. Producing fruit or vegetation in abundance; fruitful; able to produce abundantly; prolific; fecund; productive; rich; inventive; as, fertile land or fields; a fertile mind or imagination.
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Though he in a fertile climate dwell. Shak.
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2. (Bot.) (a) Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; as, fertile flowers. (b) Containing pollen; -- said of anthers.
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3. produced in abundance; plenteous; ample.
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Henceforth, my early care . . .
Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease
Of thy full branches. Milton.

Syn. -- , . Fertile implies the inherent power of production; fruitful, the act. The prairies of the West are fertile by nature, and are turned by cultivation into fruitful fields. The same distinction prevails when these words are used figuratively. A man of fertile genius has by nature great readiness of invention; one whose mind is fruitful has resources of thought and a readiness of application which enable him to think and act effectively.
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