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fomenter

 - 4 dictionary results

fo⋅ment

  [foh-ment]
Use fomenter in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to instigate or foster (discord, rebellion, etc.); promote the growth or development of: to foment trouble; to foment discontent.
2. to apply warm water or medicated liquid, ointments, etc., to (the surface of the body).
Origin:
1350–1400; ME fomenten < LL fōmentāre, v. deriv. of L fōmentum soothing application, poultice, contr. of *fōvimentum, equiv. to fōv(ēre) to keep warm + -i- -i- + -mentum -ment

Related forms:
fo⋅ment⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. incite, provoke, arouse, inflame, excite, stir up; encourage, stimulate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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fo·ment   (fō-měnt')   
tr.v.   fo·ment·ed, fo·ment·ing, fo·ments

  1. To promote the growth of; incite.

  2. To treat (the skin, for example) by fomentation.


[Middle English fomenten, to apply warm liquids to the skin, from Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum, poultice, from fovēre, to warm; see dhegwh- in Indo-European roots.]
fo·ment'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

foment 
c.1400 (implied in fomentation), from M.Fr. fomenter, from L.L. fomentare, from L. fomentum "warm application, poultice," from fovere "to warm, cherish, encourage." Extended sense of "stimulate, instigate" (1622) was in the Fr.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2fo·ment
Pronunciation: fO-'ment
Function: transitive verb
: to treat with moist heat (as for easing pain)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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