1. (

• agitation ,
• ferment ,
• fermentation ,
• tempestuousness ,
• unrest

) a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced new leadership"; "social unrest" ;

2. (

• zymosis ,
• zymolysis ,
• fermentation ,
• fermenting ,
• ferment

) a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol ;