foment
pronunciation
How to pronounce foment in British English:
UK [fəʊˈment]
How to pronounce foment in American English:
US [foʊˈment]
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- Verb:
- try to stir up public opinion
- bathe with warm water or medicated lotions
Word Origin
- foment
- foment: see favour
- foment (v.)
- early 15c., "apply hot liquids," from Old French fomenter "apply hot compress (to a wound)" (13c.), from Late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum "warm application, poultice," contraction of *fovimentum, from fovere "to warm; cherish, encourage" (see fever). Extended sense of "stimulate, instigate" (1620s), on the notion of "encourage the growth of," as if by heat, probably was taken from French. Related: Fomented; fomenting.
Example
- 1. Foment a mass exodus of key executives who actually know how to run the giant computer company .
- 2. The euro was meant to overcome , not foment , such division .
- 3. The digital revolution these giants have helped foment has brought huge benefits to consumers and businesses , and promoted free speech and the spread of democracy along the way .
- 4. Like the rest of europe , the dutch have learnt at first hand about the growing danger from islamic radicalism . Intolerant measures aimed at muslims are likely only to foment it .
- 5. Pakistan 's security agencies have long accused india of using its consulates in afghanistan to foment a separatist insurgency in the province of baluchistan .