Now rare. In 7 foement. [ad. L. fōmentum, contraction for *fovimentum, f. fovēre to cherish, warm.]
1. = FOMENTATION 1 b.
1540. Hyrde, trans. Vives’ Instr. Chr. Wom., I. ix. I iv. These superfluous sauours, and fomentes of the body, which the more it is cherished, the more it riseth and rebelleth ageinst the soule, and lyke a tirant ruleth all the man, draweth al vnto vile fantasy, where the seate is of his delicatnes.
1643. J. Steer, trans. Exp. Chyrurg., xii. 47. (The body being first purged, and a veyne opened, if age and other things will permit) apply this following Foment.
1892. Pall Mall G., 21 Jan., 1/3. Ameliorating the symptoms by hot foments, mustard applications, and wet-sheet packings.
† 2. fig. Fomentation, encouragement. Obs.
1642. Quarles, Observ. Princes & St., iv. Long-settled humors give foment to the distemper when it breakes forth, and prolongs the cure when it seekes Remedy: No surfeit so mortall, as what proceedes from the security of a long continued peace.
† b. Some thing that foments or encourages; stimulus. Obs.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, I. iv. 15. They rather serve them for instruments of vertue, than foments of vice.
1658. R. Creshald, Legacy, 10. The longer they are in health, the more dangerous is the Disease when it commeth, and the longer in Curing; as having none of those humors spent, which by the distemper gave Foment and force to the approaching Maladie.
1660. More, Myst. Godl., To the Reader, p. xiv. Shearing off those large exrescencies of either useless or scandalous Ceremonies and Opinions, the foments of strife and palliations of Hypocrisy.
1704. Expedient for Innocence, in Harl. Misc. (1746), VIII. 13/1. What more seasonable Charity, than to abstract the Foment from these accursed Divisions, by prohibiting those Oaths, that add Fuel to our Flames, and perpetuate our Janglings?
¶ 3. ? Confused with FERMENT 3.
1793. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), III. 527. We have just received here the news of the decapitation of the King of France. Should the present foment in Europe not produce republics everywhere, it will at least soften the monarchical governments by rendering monarchs amenable to punishment like other criminals, and doing away that rages of insolence and oppression, the inviolability of the King’s person.
