| foment | 1. To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge wet with warm water or medicated liquid. 2. To cherish with heat; to foster. "Which these soft fires . . . Foment and warm." (Milton) 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. " But quench the choler you foment in vain." (Dryden) " Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion." (Southey) Origin: 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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| fomentation | 1. <medicine> The act of fomenting; the application of warm, soft, medicinal substances, as for the purpose of easing pain, by relaxing the skin, or of discussing tumours. The lotion applied to a diseased part. 2. Excitation; instigation; encouragement. "Dishonest fomentation of your pride." (Young) Origin: fomentatio: cf. F. Fomentation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |