fermentum Latin · revision 6144

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *bʰer(H)-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''fermentum''' ''n'' (genitive fermentī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*fer(a)mentom]], [[inh|ine-pro|*bʰer(H)-mn̥|t=ferment]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Cognate with [[ang|beorma|t=yeast, barm]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) 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.^(de Vaan 2008) Lewis and Short and Gaffiot take it as a contraction of *fervimentum, from ''ferveō''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

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+ ==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.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Celsus speaks of bread without leaven, and the Vulgate uses it of the leaven of the law.^(Lewis & Short 1879) By transfer it meant a drink of fermented barley, and figuratively anger or passion.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Etymonline)

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+ In Medieval Latin it was a piece of the eucharistic bread sent by the bishop to parish priests, leavened bread, and a fermenting poultice.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS) [[en|ferment]] came in the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of a fermented drink.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 14–37 AD – Celsus speaks of unleavened bread.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''ferment'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|Fermentation]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|Leaven]], [[m|en|yeast]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # A drink of fermented grain.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A piece of the eucharistic bread.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[fermentō]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ferveō]]

+ * [[dēfrutum]]

+ * [[en|ferment]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}