English Explanatory Dictionary

foment

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate.
  2. To apply a poultice to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge.
noun
  1. Fomentation.

Pronunciation

/fəʊˈmɛnt/ /foʊˈmɛnt/ /fəˈmɛnt/ en-us-foment.ogg

Word forms

foment foments fomenting fomented

Etymology

From Middle English fomenten, a borrowing from Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum (“lotion”), from fovēre (“heat, cherish”).

Synonyms

bring about provoke abet actuate goose light a fire under send sting cheer draw drive encourage egg on engender evoke excite foment goad grill ignite impel incite induce inflame instigate invoke lash motive motivate move obligate oblige push promote prompt rouse set off spark off spur spur on stimulate stir stir up stoke tempt urge whet whip up beath poultice

Derived words

fomentation fomenter fomentress refoment unfomented
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