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Webster 1913 Edition

Foment

Fo-ment′

,
Verb.
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. [GREEK] 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.
2.
To cherish with heat; to foster.
[Obs.]
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
.
Locke.
But quench the choler you
foment
in vain.
Dryden.
Exciting and
fomenting
a religious rebellion.
Southey.

Webster 1828 Edition

Foment

FOMENT'

,
Verb.
T.
[L. fomento, from foveo, to warm.]
1.
To apply warm lotions to; to bathe with warm medicated liquors, or with flannel dipped in warm water.
2.
To cherish with heat; to encourage growth. [Not usual.]
3.
To encourage; to abet; to cherish and promote by excitements; in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors.
So we say, to foment troubles or disturbances; to foment intestine broils.

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