Word a Day
foment
What does foment mean?
foment (verb): to incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where does foment come from?
From Middle English fomenten, a borrowing from Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fōmentāre, from Latin fōmentum (“lotion”), from fovēre (“heat, cherish”).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “foment”?
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What does “foment” mean?
to incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate
Right! That's what “foment” means.
to move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to carry on
Not quite: that's what proceed means.
to commit (oneself) to a particular course of thought or action
Not quite: that's what dedicate means.
to kick a ball dropped from the hands before it hits the ground
Not quite: that's what punt means.
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