Etymologically
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fermentum

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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

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