1.  fermentation(n = noun.state) agitation, ferment, tempestuousness, unrest - a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; "the political ferment produced new leadership"; "social unrest"
is a kind of sturm und drang, turbulence, upheaval
Derived forms verb ferment₂, verb ferment₁

2.  fermentation(n = noun.process) ferment, fermenting, zymolysis, zymosis - a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol;
is a kind of chemical action, chemical change, chemical process
has particulars: bottom fermentation, top fermentation, vinification
Derived forms verb ferment₄, verb ferment₃

1.  The process of undergoing an effervescent change, as by the action of yeast;
"In industrial microbiology fermentation usually refers to the production of chemical substances by use of microorganisms." [1913 Webster]

2.  A state of agitation or excitement, as of the intellect or the feelings. [1913 Webster]
" Alcohol. Water. Acetaldehyde."
" Acetaldehyde. Acetic acid."
" Urea. Water. Ammonium carbonate." [1913 Webster]
"Whenever urine is exposed to the air in open vessels for several days it undergoes this alkaline fermentation."
" Hydrated milk sugar. Lactic acid." [1913 Webster]
"In the lactic fermentation of dextrose or glucose, the lactic acid which is formed is very prone to undergo butyric fermentation after the manner indicated in the following equation: 2C3H6O3 (lactic acid) --> C4H8O2 (butyric acid) + 2CO2 (carbonic acid) + 2H2 (hydrogen gas)." [1913 Webster]
"It puts the soul to fermentation and activity." [1913 Webster]
"A univesal fermentation of human thought and faith." [1913 Webster]

fermentation, n.
1 the breakdown of a substance by micro-organisms, such as yeasts and bacteria, usu. in the absence of oxygen, esp. of sugar to ethyl alcohol in making beers, wines, and spirits.
2 agitation, excitement.

Derivative:
fermentative adj.

Etymology:
ME f. LL fermentatio (as FERMENT)

N  energy, physical energy, force, power, keenness, intensity, vigor, strength, elasticity, go, high pressure, fire, rush, acrimony, acritude, causiticity, virulence, poignancy, harshness, severity, edge, point, pungency, cantharides, seasoning, activity, agitation, effervescence, ferment, fermentation, ebullition, splutter, perturbation, stir, bustle, voluntary energy, quicksilver, resolution, exertion, excitation, strong, energetic, forcible, active, intense, deep-dyed, severe, keen, vivid, sharp, acute, incisive, trenchant, brisk, rousing, irritation, poignant, virulent, caustic, corrosive, mordant, harsh, stringent, double-edged, double-shotted, double- distilled, drastic, escharotic, racy, potent, radioactive, strongly, fortiter in re, with telling effect, the steam is up, vires acquirit eundo, the race by vigor not by vaunts is won.

N  agitation, stir, tremor, shake, ripple, jog, jolt, jar, jerk, shock, succussion, trepidation, quiver, quaver, dance, jactitation, quassation, shuffling, twitter, flicker, flutter, turbulence, perturbation, commotion, turmoil, disquiet, tumult, tumultuation, hubbub, rout, bustle, fuss, racket, subsultus, staggers, megrims, epilepsy, fits, carphology, chorea, floccillation, the jerks, St. Vitus's dance, tilmus, spasm, throe, throb, palpitation, convulsion, disturbance, chaos, restlessness, ferment, fermentation, ebullition, effervescence, hurly-burly, cahotage, tempest, storm, ground swell, heavy sea, whirlpool, vortex, whirlwind, shaking, agitated tremulous, desultory, subsultory, saltatoric, quasative, shambling, giddy-paced, saltatory, convulsive, unquiet, restless, all of a twitter, by fits and starts, subsultorily, per saltum, hop skip and jump, in convulsions, in fits, tempete dans un verre d'eau.

N  bubble; cloud, bubble, foam, froth, head, spume, lather, suds, spray, surf, yeast, barm, spindrift, cloud, vapor, fog, mist, haze, steam, geyser, scud, messenger, rack, nimbus, cumulus, woolpack, cirrus, stratus, cirrostratus, cumulostratus, cirrocumulus, mackerel sky, mare's tale, dirty sky, curl cloud, frost smoke, thunderhead, nephelognosy, nephograph, nephology, effervescence, fermentation, bubbling, nebula, cloudliness, nebulosity, bubbling, frothy, nappy, effervescent, sparkling, mousseux, frothy, up, cloudy, thunderheaded, vaporous, nebulous, overcast, the lowring element scowls o'er the darkened lands.

ammoniacal fermentation, bottom fermentation, fermentation alcohol, fermentation tank, top fermentation