v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Fomented; p. pr. & vb. n. Fomenting. ] [ F. fomenter, fr. L. fomentare, fr. fomentum (for fovimentum) a warm application or lotion, fr. fovere to warm or keep warm; perh. akin to Gr. &unr_; to roast, and E. bake. ] 1. To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge wet with warm water or medicated liquid. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cherish with heat; to foster. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To nurse to life or activity; to cherish and promote by excitements; to encourage; to abet; to instigate; -- used often in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

But quench the choler you foment in vain. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion. Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Fomentation. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. State of excitation; -- perh. confused with ferment.

He came in no conciliatory mood, and the foment was kept up. Julian Ralph. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ &unr_;. fomentatio: cf. F. fomentation. ] 1. (Med.) (a) The act of fomenting; the application of warm, soft, medicinal substances, as for the purpose of easing pain, by relaxing the skin, or of discussing tumors. (b) The lotion applied to a diseased part. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Excitation; instigation; encouragement. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dishonest fomentation of your pride. Young. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who foments; one who encourages or instigates; as, a fomenter of sedition. [ 1913 Webster ]