Ferial Fe"ri·al adjective [ Late Latin ferialis , from Latin ferie holidays: confer French férial . See 5th Fair .] 1. Of or pertaining to holidays. [ Obsolete] J. Gregory.

2. Belonging to any week day, esp. to a day that is neither a festival nor a fast.

Feriation Fe`ri·a"tion noun [ Latin feriari to keep holiday, from ferie holidays.] The act of keeping holiday; cessation from work. [ Obsolete] Sir T. Browne.

Ferie Fe"rie noun [ Old French ferie , from Latin ferie holidays. See 5th Fair .] A holiday. [ Obsolete] Bullokar.

Ferier Fe"ri·er adjective , compar. of Fere , fierce. [ Obsolete]

Rhenus ferier than the cataract.

Marston.

Ferine Fe"rine adjective [ Latin ferinus , from ferus wild. See Fierce .] Wild; untamed; savage; as, lions, tigers, wolves, and bears are ferine beasts. Sir M. Hale. -- noun A wild beast; a beast of prey. -- Fe"rine*ly , adverb - - Fe"rine*ness , noun

Feringee Fer·in"gee noun [ Persian Farangī , or Arabic Firanjī , properly, a Frank.] The name given to Europeans by the Hindos. [ Written also Feringhee .]

Ferity Fer"i·ty noun [ Latin feritas , from ferus wild.] Wildness; savageness; fierceness. [ Obsolete] Woodward.

Ferly Fer"ly adjective [ Anglo-Saxon f...rlic sudden, unexpected. See Fear , noun ] Singular; wonderful; extraordinary. [ Obsolete] -- noun A wonder; a marvel. [ Obsolete]

Who hearkened ever such a ferly thing.

Chaucer.

Ferm, Ferme Ferm, Ferme noun [ See Farm .] Rent for a farm; a farm; also, an abode; a place of residence; as, he let his land to ferm . [ Obsolete]

Out of her fleshy ferme fled to the place of pain.

Spenser.

Fermacy Fer"ma·cy noun [ Middle English See Pharmacy .] Medicine; pharmacy. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

Ferment Fer"ment noun [ Latin fermentum ferment (in senses 1 & 2), perhaps for fervimentum , from fervere to be boiling hot, boil, ferment: confer French ferment . Confer 1st Barm , Fervent .] 1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or fermenting beer.

» Ferments are of two kinds: ( a ) Formed or organized ferments. ( b ) Unorganized or structureless ferments. The latter are also called soluble or chemical ferments , and enzymes . Ferments of the first class are as a rule simple microscopic vegetable organisms, and the fermentations which they engender are due to their growth and development; as, the acetic ferment , the butyric ferment , etc. See Fermentation . Ferments of the second class, on the other hand, are chemical substances, as a rule soluble in glycerin and precipitated by alcohol. In action they are catalytic and, mainly, hydrolytic. Good examples are pepsin of the dastric juice, ptyalin of the salvia, and disease of malt.

2. Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation.

Subdue and cool the ferment of desire.

Rogers.

the nation is in a ferment .

Walpole.

3. A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation. [ R.]

Down to the lowest lees the ferment ran.

Thomson.

ferment oils , volatile oils produced by the fermentation of plants, and not originally contained in them. These were the quintessences of the alchenists. Ure.

Ferment Fer·ment" transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Fermented ; present participle & verbal noun Fermenting .] [ Latin fermentare , fermentatum : confer French fermenter . See Ferment , noun ] To cause ferment of fermentation in; to set in motion; to excite internal emotion in; to heat.

Ye vigorous swains! while youth ferments your blood.

Pope.

Ferment Fer·ment" intransitive verb 1. To undergo fermentation; to be in motion, or to be excited into sensible internal motion, as the constituent particles of an animal or vegetable fluid; to work; to effervesce.

2. To be agitated or excited by violent emotions.

But finding no redress, ferment and rage.

Milton.

The intellect of the age was a fermenting intellect.

De Quincey.

Fermentability Fer·ment`a·bil"i·ty noun Capability of fermentation.

Fermentable Fer·ment"a·ble adjective [ Confer French fermentable .] Capable of fermentation; as, cider and other vegetable liquors are fermentable .

Fermental Fer·ment"al adjective Fermentative. [ Obsolete]

Fermentation Fer`men·ta"tion noun [ Confer French fermentation .] 1. The process of undergoing an effervescent change, as by the action of yeast; in a wider sense (Physiol. Chem.) , the transformation of an organic substance into new compounds by the action of a ferment, either formed or unorganized. It differs in kind according to the nature of the ferment which causes it.

2. A state of agitation or excitement, as of the intellect or the feelings.

It puts the soul to fermentation and activity.

Jer. Taylor.

A univesal fermentation of human thought and faith.

C. Kingsley.

Acetous, or Acetic , fermentation , a form of oxidation in which alcohol is converted into vinegar or acetic acid by the agency of a specific fungus or ferment ( Mycoderma aceti ). The process involves two distinct reactions, in which the oxygen of the air is essential. An intermediate product, aldehyde, is formed in the first process.

1. C2H6O + O = H2O + C2H4O Alcohol. Water. Aldehyde.

2. C2H4O + O = C2H4O2 Aldehyde. Acetic acid.

-- Alcoholic fermentation , the fermentation which saccharine bodies undergo when brought in contact with the yeast plant or Torula. The sugar is converted, either directly or indirectly, into alcohol and carbonic acid, the rate of action being dependent on the rapidity with which the Torulæ develop. - - Ammoniacal fermentation , the conversion of the urea of the urine into ammonium carbonate, through the growth of the special urea ferment.

CON2H4 + 2H2O = (NH4)2CO3 Urea. Water. Ammonium carbonate.

Whenever urine is exposed to the air in open vessels for several days it undergoes this alkaline fermentation. -- Butyric fermentation , the decomposition of various forms of organic matter, through the agency of a peculiar worm-shaped vibrio, with formation of more or less butyric acid. It is one of the many forms of fermentation that collectively constitute putrefaction. See Lactic fermentation . -- Fermentation by an unorganized ferment or enzyme . Fermentations of this class are purely chemical reactions, in which the ferment acts as a simple catalytic agent. Of this nature are the decomposition or inversion of cane sugar into levulose and dextrose by boiling with dilute acids, the conversion of starch into dextrin and sugar by similar treatment, the conversion of starch into like products by the action of diastase of malt or ptyalin of saliva, the conversion of albuminous food into peptones and other like products by the action of pepsin-hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice or by the ferment of the pancreatic juice. -- Fermentation theory of disease (Biol. & Med.) , the theory that most if not all, infectious or zymotic disease are caused by the introduction into the organism of the living germs of ferments, or ferments already developed (organized ferments), by which processes of fermentation are set up injurious to health. See Germ theory . -- Glycerin fermentation , the fermentation which occurs on mixing a dilute solution of glycerin with a peculiar species of schizomycetes and some carbonate of lime, and other matter favorable to the growth of the plant, the glycerin being changed into butyric acid, caproic acid, butyl, and ethyl alcohol. With another form of bacterium ( Bacillus subtilis ) ethyl alcohol and butyric acid are mainly formed. -- Lactic fermentation , the transformation of milk sugar or other saccharine body into lactic acid, as in the souring of milk, through the agency of a special bacterium ( Bacterium lactis of Lister). In this change the milk sugar, before assuming the form of lactic acid, presumably passes through the stage of glucose.

C12H22O11.H2O = 4C3H6O3 Hydrated milk sugar. Lactic acid.

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). -- Putrefactive fermentation . See Putrefaction .

Fermentation theory Fer`men·ta"tion the"o·ry (Medicine) The theory which likens the course of certain diseases (esp. infectious diseases) to the process of fermentation, and attributes them to the organized ferments in the body. It does not differ materially from the accepted germ theory (which see).

Fermentative Fer·ment"a·tive adjective [ Confer French fermentatif .] Causing, or having power to cause, fermentation; produced by fermentation; fermenting; as, a fermentative process.

-- Fer*ment"a*tive*ly , adverb -- Fer*ment"a*tive*ness , noun

Fermerere Fer"mer·ere noun [ Old French enfermerier , from enfermerie infirmary. See Infirmary .] The officer in a religious house who had the care of the infirmary. [ Obsolete]

Fermeture Fer"me·ture noun [ French, from fermer to close.] (Mil.) The mechanism for closing the breech of a breech-loading firearm, in artillery consisting principally of the breechblock, obturator, and carrier ring.

Fermillet Fer"mil·let noun [ Old French , dim. of fermeil , fermail , clasp, probably from Old French & French fermer to make fast, from ferme fast. See Firm .] A buckle or clasp. [ Obsolete] Donne.

Fern Fern adverb Long ago. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

Fern Fern adjective [ Anglo-Saxon fyrn .] Ancient; old. [ Obsolete] "Pilgrimages to . . . ferne halwes." [ saints]. Chaucer.

Fern Fern (fẽrn) noun [ Anglo-Saxon fearn ; akin to Dutch varen , German farn , farn kraut; confer Sanskrit parn.a wing, feather, leaf, sort of plant, or Lithuanian papartis fern.] (Botany) An order of cryptogamous plants, the Filices , which have their fructification on the back of the fronds or leaves. They are usually found in humid soil, sometimes grow epiphytically on trees, and in tropical climates often attain a gigantic size.

» The plants are asexual, and bear clustered sporangia, containing minute spores, which germinate and form prothalli, on which are borne the true organs of reproduction. The brake or bracken, the maidenhair, and the polypody are all well known ferns.

Christmas fern . See under Christmas . -- Climbing fern (Botany) , a delicate North American fern ( Lygodium palmatum ), which climbs several feet high over bushes, etc., and is much sought for purposes of decoration. -- Fern owl . (Zoology) (a) The European goatsucker. (b) The short-eared owl. [ Prov. Eng.] -- Fern shaw , a fern thicket. [ Eng.] R. Browning.

Fernery Fern"er·y noun A place for rearing ferns.

Fernticle Fern"ti·cle noun A freckle on the skin, resembling the seed of fern. [ Prov. Eng.]

Ferny Fern"y adjective Abounding in ferns.

Ferocious Fe·ro"cious adjective [ Latin ferox , -ocis , fierce: confer French féroce . See Ferocity .] Fierce; savage; wild; indicating cruelty; ravenous; rapacious; as, ferocious look or features; a ferocious lion.

The humbled power of a ferocious enemy.

Lowth.

Syn. -- Ferocious , Fierce , Savage , Barbarous . When these words are applied to human feelings or conduct, ferocious describes the disposition; fierce , the haste and violence of an act; barbarous , the coarseness and brutality by which it was marked; savage , the cruel and unfeeling spirit which it showed. A man is ferocious in his temper, fierce in his actions, barbarous in the manner of carrying out his purposes, savage in the spirit and feelings expressed in his words or deeds.

-- Fe*ro"cious*ly , adverb -- Fe*ro"cious*ness , noun

It [ Christianity] has adapted the ferociousness of war.

Blair.

Ferocity Fe·roc"i·ty noun [ Latin ferocitas , from ferox , -ocis , fierce, kin to ferus wild: confer French ferocité . See Fierce .] Savage wildness or fierceness; fury; cruelty; as, ferocity of countenance.

The pride and ferocity of a Highland chief.

Macaulay.

Feroher Fer·o"her noun (Archæol.) A symbol of the solar deity, found on monuments exhumed in Babylon, Nineveh, etc.

Ferous Fe"rous adjective [ Latin ferus . See Fierce .] Wild; savage. [ R.] Arthur Wilson.

Ferrandine Fer·ran"dine noun [ F.; confer Old French ferrant iron-gray, from Latin ferrum iron.] A stuff made of silk and wool.

I did buy a colored silk ferrandine .

Pepys.

Ferranti cables, Ferranti mains Fer·ran"ti ca"bles, Fer·ran"ti mains" (Electricity) A form of conductor, designed by Ferranti , for currents of high potential, and consisting of concentric tubes of copper separated by an insulating material composed of paper saturated with black mineral wax.

Ferranti phenomenon Fer·ran"ti phe·nom"e·non (Electricity) An increase in the ratio of transformation of an alternating current converter, accompanied by other changes in electrical conditions, occurring when the secondary of the converter is connected with a condenser of moderate capacity; -- so called because first observed in connection with the Ferranti cables in London.

Ferrara Fer·ra"ra noun A sword bearing the mark of one of the Ferrara family of Italy. These swords were highly esteemed in England and Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Ferrarese Fer`ra·rese" adjective Pertaining to Ferrara, in Italy. -- noun , sing. & plural A citizen of Ferrara; collectively, the inhabitants of Ferrara.

Ferrary Fer"ra·ry noun [ Latin ferraria iron works. See Ferreous .] The art of working in iron. [ Obsolete] Chapman.

Ferrate Fer"rate noun [ Latin ferrum iron.] (Chemistry) A salt of ferric acid.

Ferre, Ferrer Fer"re, Fer"rer adjective & adverb Obsolete compar. of Fer .

Ferreous Fer"re·ous adjective [ Latin ferreus , from ferrum iron. Confer Farrier , Ferrous .] Partaking of, made of, or pertaining to, iron; like iron. [ Obsolete] Sir T. Browne.

Ferrest Fer"rest adjective & adverb Obsolete superl. of Fer . Chaucer.

Ferret Fer"ret noun [ French furet , confer Late Latin furo ; probably from Latin fur thief (cf. Furtive ); confer Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zoology) An animal of the Weasel family ( Mustela or Putorius furo ), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes.

Ferret Fer"ret transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Ferreted ; present participle & verbal noun Ferreting .] [ Confer French fureter . See Ferret , noun ] To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; -- often used with out ; as, to ferret out a secret.

Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.

Shak.

Ferret Fer"ret noun [ Ital. foretto , dim. of fiore flower; or French fleuret . Confer Floret .] A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; -- called also ferreting .

Ferret Fer"ret noun [ French feret , dim. or fer iron, Latin ferrum .] (Glass Making) The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.

Ferret-eye Fer"ret-eye` noun (Zoology) The spur-winged goose; -- so called from the red circle around the eyes.

Ferreter Fer"ret·er noun One who ferrets. Johnson.

Ferretto Fer·ret"to noun [ Italian ferretto di Spagna, dim. of ferro iron, from Latin ferrum .] Copper sulphide, used to color glass. Hebert.

Ferri- Fer"ri- (Chemistry) A combining form indicating ferric iron as an ingredient; as, ferri cyanide.

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