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foment

verb

  1. encourage revolution
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Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /fəʊˈmɛnt/ / /foʊˈmɛnt/ / /fəˈmɛnt/

noun

Etymology: From Middle English fomenten, a borrowing from Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum (“lotion”), from fovēre (“heat, cherish”).

  1. Fomentation.

    He came in no conciliatory mood, and the foment was kept up.

verb

Etymology: From Middle English fomenten, a borrowing from Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum (“lotion”), from fovēre (“heat, cherish”).

  1. To incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate.

    He was arrested for fomenting a riot; after all, it's bad enough being in a riot but starting one is much worse.

    Foreign governments have tried to foment unrest.

  2. To apply a poultice to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge.

    Sties in the eye are irritating and disfiguring. Foment with warm water; at night apply a bread-and-milk poultice.

    The maid had entered with us, and began once more to foment the bruise upon her mistress's brow.