Fomented

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Foment \Fo*ment"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fomented}; p. pr. & vb.
     n. {Fomenting}.] [F. fomenter, fr. L. fomentare, fr. fomentum
     (for fovimentum) a warm application or lotion, fr. fovere to
     warm or keep warm; perh. akin to Gr. ? to roast, and E.
     bake.]
     1. To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge


        wet with warm water or medicated liquid.
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     2. To cherish with heat; to foster. [Obs.]
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              Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm.
                                                    --Milton.
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     3. To nurse to life or activity; to cherish and promote by
        excitements; to encourage; to abet; to instigate; -- used
        often in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors. --Locke.
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              But quench the choler you foment in vain. --Dryden.
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              Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion.
                                                    --Southey.
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