fermentum

Forms

fermentum n (genitive fermentī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *fer(a)mentom, inherited from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer(H)-mn̥ (“ferment”).^[2][1] Cognate with Old English beorma (“yeast, barm”).^[2][3] De Vaan finds it most attractive to derive it from the simple root *bʰr(H)- behind ferveō “to boil” and dēfrutum “boiled-down must”, though the form and meaning of the root are unclear.^[2] Lewis and Short and Gaffiot take it as a contraction of *fervimentum, from ferveō.^[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan dates it from Plautus.^[2][6] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[6]

Semantic evolution

It meant the process of fermentation, and the substance that causes it, leaven, yeast, as Virgil's northern peoples who make a wine-like drink with ferment.^[3][5] Celsus speaks of bread without leaven, and the Vulgate uses it of the leaven of the law.^[4] By transfer it meant a drink of fermented barley, and figuratively anger or passion.^[5][7]

In Medieval Latin it was a piece of the eucharistic bread sent by the bishop to parish priests, leavened bread, and a fermenting poultice.^[8][9] English ferment came in the late 14th century.^[7]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[2][6]
• 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of a fermented drink.^[3][6]
• 14–37 AD – Celsus speaks of unleavened bread.^[4][6]
• late 14th century – English ferment is recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. Fermentation.^[3]
2. Leaven, yeast.^[3]
3. A drink of fermented grain.^[5]
4. (Medieval Latin) A piece of the eucharistic bread.^[8]

Word family

• fermentō

Related words

• ferveō
• dēfrutum
• English ferment

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
3. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
7. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
9. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press