-ation, -ization (-iz[e] + -ation); -isation (British spelling variation)

1. The chemical decomposition of a complex substance; especially, a carbohydrate, into simpler chemical products, brought about by the action of enzymes, bacteria, yeasts, or molds; usually in the absence of oxygen: Fermentation may be a natural process, or one brought about or enhanced technically to produce a desired end product.

The fermentation of grape juice makes wine, and the fermentation of corn products is used to produce ethanol fuel.

Yeasts conduct fermentation in the absence of oxygen, so wine is produced in closed containers in order to keep oxygen in the air away from the crushed grapes.

2. A process of the nature of that which results from the operation of leaven on dough or on saccharine liquids: The features that are more recognizable in the fermentation process of yeast, enzymes, etc. are an effervescence or bubbling appearance.

Before the rise of modern chemistry, the term fermentation was applied to all elements that produced transformations which presented heat; for example, in Alchemy, it was the name of an internal change supposed to be produced in metals by a fermentation, operating like leaven.

In modern science, fermentation is restricted to a definite class of chemical modifications peculiar to organic compounds, and produced in them by the stimulus of enzymes.

3. A condition in which excitement is caused by emotion, passion, or agitation: The fermentation in the crowd encouraged Susan and Sarah and the rest of the students in the gathering to sing the national anthem.

The product which results from the conversion of biomass materials into alcohol in a process of enzymatic transformation by micro-organisms: Fermentation ethanol is a result of yeasts acting on organic compounds; such as, sugars.

"Enzymatic transformation" refers to a natural chemical produced by animal and plant cells which provide reactions and other processes to begin; as in, fermentation ethanol.

The transmission of luminousness to an object by the use of clusters of very thin threadlike filaments of such substances as glass or plastic: The fiber-illumination used to incandesce the room produced a soft almost hazy shimmer, glowing through the fine strands.

1. A small, local, involuntary, muscular contraction, as a result of the spontaneous activation of single muscle cells or muscle fibers.
2. Muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination.
3. The formation of fibrils or fibers.
4. A rapid chaotic beating of the heart muscles in which the affected part of the heart may stop pumping blood.
5. An abnormal bioelectric potential occurring in neuropathies and myopathies.
6. Rapid uncoordinated twitching movements that replace the normal rhythmic contraction of the heart and may cause a lack of circulation and pulse.

The difference between fibrillation and flutter is that fibrillation is not well organized while flutter is.

1. A depiction of something in emblematic or allegorical form or the act of forming something into a particular shape.
2. The use of musical figures or other ornaments to embellish or to vary a theme.
3. The process of giving allegorical or emblematic form to something abstract; especially, by representing it by using human or animal figures.

1. A fact establishing that a child is from a certain parent or parents: "Through the judicial filiation, it was determined that little Jimmy was in fact Latonya's son."
2. A line of parental descent: "Shanna was interested in the filiation of her ancestors and so she carefully studied the Family Tree."

1. The process of forming fimbriae.
2. The condition of having fimbriae or a fringed border.

The act or fact of something being completed with no expectation of continuation: The finalization of the mortgage payments was a source of pride and pleasure for Monica.

The act of dividing or opening; the state of being fissured.

Formation of a fistula in a part; becoming fistulous.

1. The process of becoming fistulous.
2. The surgical creation of an opening into a hollow organ, cavity, or abscess; the creation of a communication between two structures which were not previously connected.

1. The act or operation of holding or fastening something in a stable position: Joe checked the fixation of the lamp he had attached to the ceiling and was happy with his successful accomplishment.
2. The condition of being held in a secure position: The fixation of the implant in Ginny’s bone material in her upper jaw caused her no further pain in the days following the operation.
3. An inability to stop thinking about something: Shelby has some kind of fixations about birds hating her; so, she avoids walking under trees when she hears them chittering or twittering above.

The media tends to have their fixations on scandals and violence much more than they do on successful social achievements.

An uncontrollable fire that causes great damage: In the summer of 2016, there were many terrible flagrations in Southern California, in the mountains and along the coast, which destroyed many valuable forests and houses.

The act of setting in a flame or blaze.