Chapter 13

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 TorulÊ 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.

Fer*ment"a*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. fermentatif.] Causing, or having power to cause, fermentation; produced by fermentation; fermenting; as, a fermentative process.

-- Fer*ment"a*tive*ly, adv. -- Fer*ment"a*tive*ness, n.

Fer"mer*ere (?), n. [OF. enfermerier, fr. enfermerie infirmary. See Infirmary.] The officer in a religious house who had the care of the infirmary. [Obs.]

Fer"mil*let (?), n. [OF., dim. of fermeil, fermail, clasp, prob. fr. OF. & F. fermer to make fast, fr. ferme fast. See Firm.] A buckle or clasp. [Obs.] Donne.

Fern (?), adv. Long ago. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fern, a. [AS. fyrn.] Ancient; old. [Obs.] "Pilgrimages to . . . ferne halwes." [saints]. Chaucer.

Fern (frn), n. [AS. fearn; akin to D. varen, G. farn, farnkraut; cf. Skr. parn.a wing, feather, leaf, sort of plant, or Lith. papartis fern.] (Bot.) 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 (Bot.), 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. (Zoˆl.) (a) The European goatsucker. (b) The short-eared owl. [Prov. Eng.] -- Fern shaw, a fern thicket. [Eng.] R. Browning.

Fern"er*y (?), n. A place for rearing ferns.

Fern"ti*cle (?), n. A freckle on the skin, resembling the seed of fern. [Prov. Eng.]

Fern"y (?), a. Abounding in ferns.

Fe*ro"cious (?), a. [L. ferox, -ocis, fierce: cf. F. fÈroce. 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, adv. -- Fe*ro"cious*ness, n.

It [Christianity] has adapted the ferociousness of war.

Blair.

Fe*roc"i*ty (?), n. [L. ferocitas, fr. ferox, -ocis, fierce, kin to ferus wild: cf. F. ferocitÈ. See Fierce.] Savage wildness or fierceness; fury; cruelty; as, ferocity of countenance.

The pride and ferocity of a Highland chief.

Macaulay.

||Fer*o"her (?), n. (ArchÊol.) A symbol of the solar deity, found on ||monuments exhumed in Babylon, Nineveh, etc.

Fe"rous (?), a. [L. ferus. See Fierce.] Wild; savage. [R.] Arthur Wilson.

-fer*ous (?). [L. -fer. fr. ferre to bear. See Bear to support.] A suffix signifying bearing, producing, yielding; as, auriferous, yielding gold; chyliferous, producing chyle.

Fer*ran"dine (? or ?), n. [F.; cf. OF. ferrant iron-gray, from L. ferrum iron.] A stuff made of silk and wool.

I did buy a colored silk ferrandine.

Pepys.

Fer*ra"ra (?), n. 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.

Fer`ra*rese" (?), a. Pertaining to Ferrara, in Italy. -- n., sing. & pl. A citizen of Ferrara; collectively, the inhabitants of Ferrara.

Fer"ra*ry (?), n. [L. ferraria iron works. See Ferreous.] The art of working in iron. [Obs.] Chapman.

Fer"rate (?), n. [L. ferrum iron.] (Chem.) A salt of ferric acid.

{ Fer"re (?), Fer"rer (?), a. & adv. } Obs. compar. of Fer.

Fer"re*ous (?), a. [L. ferreus, fr. ferrum iron. Cf. Farrier, Ferrous.] Partaking of, made of, or pertaining to, iron; like iron. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Fer"rest (?), a. & adv. Obs. superl. of Fer. Chaucer.

Fer"ret (?), n. [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur thief (cf. Furtive); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zoˆl.) 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.

Fer"ret, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferreted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ferreting.] [Cf. F. fureter. See Ferret, n.] 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.

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

Fer"ret, n. [F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. 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.

Fer"ret*er (?), n. One who ferrets. Johnson.

Fer"ret-eye` (?), n. (Zoˆl.) The spur-winged goose; -- so called from the red circle around the eyes.

Fer*ret"to (?), n. [It. ferretto di Spagna, dim. of ferro iron, fr. L. ferrum.] Copper sulphide, used to color glass. Hebert.

Fer"ri- (&?;). (Chem.) A combining form indicating ferric iron as an ingredient; as, ferricyanide.

Fer"ri*age (?; 48), n. [From Ferry.] The price or fare to be paid for passage at a ferry.

Fer"ric (?), a. [L. ferrum iron: cf. F. ferrique. See Ferrous.] Pertaining to, derived from, or containing iron. Specifically (Chem.), denoting those compounds in which iron has a higher valence than in the ferrous compounds; as, ferric oxide; ferric acid.

Ferric acid (Chem.), an acid, H2FeO4, which is not known in the free state, but forms definite salts, analogous to the chromates and sulphates. -- Ferric oxide (Chem.), sesquioxide of iron, Fe2O3; hematite. See Hematite.

Fer`ri*cy"a*nate (?), n. [Ferri- + cyanate.] (Chem.) A salt of ferricyanic acid; a ferricyanide.

Fer`ri*cy*an"ic (?), a. [Ferri- + cyanic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, a ferricyanide.

Ferricyanic acid (Chem.), a brown crystalline substance, H6(CN)12Fe2, obtained from potassium ferricyanide, and regarded as the type of the ferricyanides; -- called also hydro-ferricyanic acid, hydrogen ferricyanide, etc.

Fer`ri*cy"a*nide (?; 104), n. [Ferri- + cyanide.] (Chem.) One of a complex series of double cyanides of ferric iron and some other base.

Potassium ferricyanide (Chem.), red prussiate of potash; a dark, red, crystalline salt, K6(CN)12Fe2, consisting of the double cyanide of potassium and ferric iron. From it is derived the ferrous ferricyanate, Turnbull's blue.

Fer"ri*er (?), n. A ferryman. Calthrop.

Fer*rif"er*ous (?), a. [L. ferrum iron + -ferous: cf. F. ferrifËre.] Producing or yielding iron.

Fer`ri*prus"si*ate (? or ?; see Prussiate, 277), n. [Ferri- + prussiate.] (Chem.) A ferricyanate; a ferricyanide. [R.]

Fer`ri*prus"sic (? or ?; see Prussik, 277), a. [Ferri- + prussic.] (Chem.) Ferricyanic. [R.]

Fer"ro- (&?;). (Chem.) A prefix, or combining form, indicating ferrous iron as an ingredient; as, ferrocyanide.

Fer`ro*cal"cite (?), n. [Ferro- + calcite.] Limestone containing a large percentage of iron carbonate, and hence turning brown on exposure.

Fer`ro*cy"a*nate (?), n. [Ferro- + cyanate: cf. F. ferrocyanate.] (Chem.) A salt of ferrocyanic acid; a ferrocyanide.

Fer`ro*cy*an"ic (?), a. [Ferro- + cyanic: cf. F. ferrocyanique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a ferrocyanide.

ferrocyanic acid (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, H4(CN)6Fe, of strong acid properties, obtained from potassium ferrocyanide, and regarded as the type of the ferrocyanides; -- called also hydro-ferrocyanic acid, hydrogen ferrocyanide. etc.

Fer`ro*cy"a*nide (? or ?; 104), n. [Ferro- + cyanide.] (Chem.) One of a series of complex double cyanides of ferrous iron and some other base.

Potassium ferrocyanide (Chem.), yellow prussiate of potash; a tough, yellow, crystalline salt, K4(CN)6Fe, the starting point in the manufacture of almost all cyanogen compounds, and the basis of the ferric ferrocyanate, prussian blue. It is obtained by strongly heating together potash, scrap iron, and animal matter containing nitrogen, as horn, leather, blood, etc., in iron pots.

Fer`ro*prus"si*ate (&?; or &?; or &?;; see Prussiate, 277), n. [Ferro- + prussiate.] (Chem.) A ferrocyanate; a ferocyanide. [R.]

Fer`ro*prus"sic (? or ?; see Prussic, 277), a. [Ferro- + prussic.] (Chem.) Ferrocyanic.

Fer*ro"so- (&?;). (Chem.) See Ferro- .

Fer"ro*type (?), n. [L. ferrum iron + -type.] A photographic picture taken on an iron plate by a collodion process; -- familiarly called tintype.

Fer"rous (?), a. [Cf. F. ferreux. See Ferreous.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, iron; -- especially used of compounds of iron in which the iron has its lower valence; as, ferrous sulphate.

Fer*ru"gi*na`ted (?), a. [See Ferrugo.] Having the color or properties of the rust of iron.

Fer`ru*gin"e*ous (?), a. Ferruginous. [R.]

Fer*ru"gi*nous (?), a. [L. ferruginus, ferrugineus, fr. ferrugo, - ginis, iron rust: cf. F. ferrugineux. See Ferrugo.] 1. Partaking of iron; containing particles of iron. Boyle.

2. Resembling iron rust in appearance or color; brownish red, or yellowish red.

||Fer*ru"go (?), n. [L., iron rust, fr. ferrum iron.] A disease of ||plants caused by fungi, commonly called the rust, from its ||resemblance to iron rust in color.

Fer"rule (? or ?; 277), n. [Formerly verrel, F. virole, fr. L. viriola little bracelet, dim. of viriae, pl., bracelets; prob. akin to viere to twist, weave, and E. withe. The spelling with f is due to confusion with L. ferrum iron.] 1. A ring or cap of metal put round a cane, tool, handle, or other similar object, to strengthen it, or prevent splitting and wearing.

2. (Steam Boilers) A bushing for expanding the end of a flue to fasten it tightly in the tube plate, or for partly filling up its mouth.

Fer*ru"mi*nate (?), v. t. [L. ferruminatus, p. p. of ferruminare to cement, solder, fr. ferrumen cement, fr. ferrum iron.] To solder or unite, as metals. [R.] Coleridge.

Fer*ru`mi*na"tion (?), n. [L. ferruminatio: cf. F. ferrumination.] The soldering or uniting of metals. [R.] Coleridge.

Fer"ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ferrying.] [OE. ferien to convey, AS. ferian, from faran to go; akin to Icel. ferja to ferry, Goth. farjan to sail. See Fare.] To carry or transport over a river, strait, or other narrow water, in a boat.

Fer"ry, v. i. To pass over water in a boat or by a ferry.

They ferry over this Lethean sound Both to and fro.

Milton.

Fer"ry, n.; pl. Ferries (#). [OE. feri; akin to Icel. ferja, Sw. f‰rja, Dan. fÊrge, G. f‰hre. See Ferry, v. t.] 1. A place where persons or things are carried across a river, arm of the sea, etc., in a ferryboat.

It can pass the ferry backward into light.

Milton.

To row me o'er the ferry.

Campbell.

2. A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over narrow waters; a ferryboat; a wherry.

3. A franchise or right to maintain a vessel for carrying passengers and freight across a river, bay, etc., charging tolls.

Ferry bridge, a ferryboat adapted in its structure for the transfer of railroad trains across a river or bay. -- Ferry railway. See under Railway.

Fer"ry*boat` (?), n. A vessel for conveying passengers, merchandise, etc., across streams and other narrow waters.

Fer"ry*man (?), n.; pl. Ferrymen (&?;). One who maintains or attends a ferry.

Fers (?), a. Fierce. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ferthe (?), a. Fourth. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fer"tile (? or ?; 277), a. [L. fertilis, fr. ferre to bear, produce: cf. F. fertile. See Bear to support.] 1. Producing fruit or vegetation in abundance; fruitful; able to produce abundantly; prolific; fecund; productive; rich; inventive; as, fertile land or fields; a fertile mind or imagination.

Though he in a fertile climate dwell.

Shak.

2. (Bot.) (a) Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; as, fertile flowers. (b) Containing pollen; -- said of anthers.

3. produced in abundance; plenteous; ample.

Henceforth, my early care . . . Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease Of thy full branches.

Milton.

Syn. -- Fertile, Fruitful. Fertile implies the inherent power of production; fruitful, the act. The prairies of the West are fertile by nature, and are turned by cultivation into fruitful fields. The same distinction prevails when these words are used figuratively. A man of fertile genius has by nature great readiness of invention; one whose mind is fruitful has resources of thought and a readiness of application which enable him to think and act effectively.

<! p. 554 !>

Fer"tile*ly (? or ?; 277), adv. In a fertile or fruitful manner.

fer"tile*ness, n. Fertility. Sir P. Sidney.

Fer*til"i*tate (?), v. t. To fertilize; to fecundate. Sir T. Browne.

Fer*til"i*ty (?), n. [L. fertilitas: cf. F. fertilitÈ.] The state or quality of being fertile or fruitful; fruitfulness; productiveness; fecundity; richness; abundance of resources; fertile invention; quickness; readiness; as, the fertility of soil, or of imagination. "fertility of resource." E. Everett.

And all her husbandry doth lie on heaps Corrupting in its own fertility.

Shak.

Thy very weeds are beautiful; thy waste More rich than other climes' fertility.

Byron.

Fer`ti*li*za"tion (?), n. 1. The act or process of rendering fertile.

2. (Biol.) The act of fecundating or impregnating animal or vegetable germs; esp., the process by which in flowers the pollen renders the ovule fertile, or an analogous process in flowerless plants; fecundation; impregnation.

Close fertilization (Bot.), the fertilization of pistils by pollen derived from the stamens of the same blossom. -- Cross fertilization, fertilization by pollen from some other blossom. See under Cross, a.

Fer"ti*lize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fertilized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fertilizing (?).] [Cf. F. fertiliser.] 1. To make fertile or enrich; to supply with nourishment for plants; to make fruitful or productive; as, to fertilize land, soil, ground, and meadows.

And fertilize the field that each pretends to gain.

Byron.

2. To fecundate; as, to fertilize flower. A. R. Wallace.

Fer"ti*lizer (?), n. 1. One who fertilizes; the agent that carries the fertilizing principle, as a moth to an orchid. A. R. Wallace.

2. That which renders fertile; a general name for commercial manures, as guano, phosphate of lime, etc.

||Fer"u*la (?), n. [L. ferula giant fennel (its stalks were used in ||punishing schoolboys), rod, whip, fr. ferire to strike; akin to OHG. ||berjan, Icel. berja. Cf. Ferule.] 1. A ferule. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

2. The imperial scepter in the Byzantine or Eastern Empire.

Fer`u*la"ceous (?), a. [L. ferulaceus, fr. ferula rod: cf. F. fÈrulacÈ.] Pertaining to reeds and canes; having a stalk like a reed; as, ferulaceous plants.

Fer"u*lar (?), n. A ferule. [Obs.] Milton.

Fer"ule (? or ?; 277), n. [L. ferula: cf. F. fÈrule. See Ferula.] A flat piece of wood, used for striking, children, esp. on the hand, in punishment.

Fer"ule (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Feruled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Feruling.] To punish with a ferule.

Fe*ru"lic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, asafetida (Ferula asafútida); as, ferulic acid. [Written also ferulaic.]

Fer"vence (?), n. Heat; fervency. [Obs.]

Fer"ven*cy (?), n. [Cf. OF. fervence. See Fervent.] The state of being fervent or warm; ardor; warmth of feeling or devotion; eagerness.

When you pray, let it be with attention, with fervency, and with perseverance.

Wake.

Fer"vent (?), a. [F. fervent, L. fervens, -entis. p. pr. of fervere o the boiling hot, to boil, glow.] 1. Hot; glowing; boiling; burning; as, a fervent summer.

The elements shall melt with fervent heat.

2 Pet. iii. 10.

2. Warm in feeling; ardent in temperament; earnest; full of fervor; zealous; glowing.

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit.

Rom. iii. 11.

So spake the fervent angel.

Milton.

A fervent desire to promote the happiness of mankind.

Macaulay.

-- Fer"vent*ly, adv. -- Fer"vent*ness, n.

Laboring fervently for you in prayers.

Col. iv. 12.

Fer*ves"cent (?), a. [L. fervescens, p. pr. of fervescere to become boiling hot, incho., fr. fervere. See Fervent.] Growing hot.

Fer"vid (?), a. [L. fervidus, fr. fervere. See Fervent.] 1. Very hot; burning; boiling.

The mounted sun Shot down direct his fervid rays.

Milton.

2. Ardent; vehement; zealous.

The fervid wishes, holy fires.

Parnell.

-- Fer"vid*ly, adv. -- Fer"vid*ness, n.

Fer"vor (?), n. [Written also fervour.] [OF. fervor, fervour, F. ferveur, L. fervor, fr. fervere. See Fervent.] 1. Heat; excessive warmth.

The fevor of ensuing day.

Waller.

2. Intensity of feeling or expression; glowing ardor; passion; holy zeal; earnestness. Hooker.

Winged with fervor of her love.

Shak.

Syn. -- Fervor, Ardor. Fervor is a boiling heat, and ardor is a burning heat. Hence, in metaphor, we commonly use fervor and its derivatives when we conceive of thoughts or emotions under the image of ebullition, or as pouring themselves forth. Thus we speak of the fervor of passion, fervid declamation, fervid importunity, fervent supplication, fervent desires, etc. Ardent is used when we think of anything as springing from a deepseated glow of soul; as, ardent friendship, ardent zeal, ardent devotedness; burning with ardor for the fight.

Fes"cen*nine (?), a. [L. Fescenninus, fr. Fescennia, a city of Etruria.] Pertaining to, or resembling, the Fescennines. -- n. A style of low, scurrilous, obscene poetry originating in fescennia.

Fes"cue (fs"k), n. [OE. festu, OF. festu, F. fÈtu, fr. L. festuca stalk, straw.] 1. A straw, wire, stick, etc., used chiefly to point out letters to children when learning to read. "Pedantic fescue." Sterne.

To come under the fescue of an imprimatur.

Milton.

2. An instrument for playing on the harp; a plectrum. [Obs.] Chapman.

3. The style of a dial. [Obs.]

4. (Bot.) A grass of the genus Festuca.

Fescue grass (Bot.), a genus of grasses (Festuca) containing several species of importance in agriculture. Festuca ovina is sheep's fescue; F. elatior is meadow fescue.

Fes"cue (fs"k), v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Fescued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fescuing.] To use a fescue, or teach with a fescue. Milton.

Fes"els (?), n. pl. [Written also fasels.] See Phasel. [Obs.] May (Georgics).

{ Fess, Fesse } (?), n. [OF. fesse, faisse, F. fasce, fr. L. fascia band. See Fascia.] (Her.) A band drawn horizontally across the center of an escutcheon, and containing in breadth the third part of it; one of the nine honorable ordinaries.

Fess point (Her.), the exact center of the escutcheon. See Escutcheon.

Fes"si*tude (?), n. [L. fessus wearied, fatigued.] Weariness. [Obs.] Bailey.

Fess"wise (?), adv. In the manner of fess.

Fest (?), n. [See Fist.] The fist. [Obs.] Chaucer.

{ Fest, Fes"te (?), n. } A feast. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fes"tal (?), a. [L. festum holiday, feast. See feast.] Of or pertaining to a holiday or a feast; joyous; festive.

You bless with choicer wine the festal day.

Francis.

Fes"tal*ly, adv. Joyously; festively; mirthfully.

Fes"ten*nine (?), n. A fescennine.

Fes"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Festered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Festering.] [OE. festern, fr. fester, n.; or fr. OF. festrir, fr. festre, n. See Fester, n.] 1. To generate pus; to become imflamed and suppurate; as, a sore or a wound festers.

Wounds immedicable Rankle, and fester, and gangrene.

Milton.

Unkindness may give a wound that shall bleed and smart, but it is treachery that makes it fester.

South.

Hatred . . . festered in the hearts of the children of the soil.

Macaulay.

2. To be inflamed; to grow virulent, or malignant; to grow in intensity; to rankle.

Fes`ter, v. t. To cause to fester or rankle.

For which I burnt in inward, swelt'ring hate, And festered ranking malice in my breast.

Marston.

Fes"ter, n. [OF. festre, L. fistula a sort of ulcer. Cf. Fistula.] 1. A small sore which becomes inflamed and discharges corrupt matter; a pustule.

2. A festering or rankling.

The fester of the chain their necks.

I. Taylor.

Fes"ter*ment (?), n. A festering. [R.] Chalmers.

Fest"eye (?), v. t. [OF. festier, festeer, F. festoyer.] To feast; to entertain. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fes"ti*nate (?), a. [L. festinatus, p. p. of festinare to hasten.] Hasty; hurried. [Obs.] -- Fes"ti*nate*ly, adv. [Obs.] Shak.

Fes`ti*na"tion (?), n. [L. festinatio.] Haste; hurry. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.