Part 4452

<hw>Fo"mal*haut`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[A<?/.,prop., mouth of the large fish: cf. F. <ets>Fomalhaut</ets>.]</ety> <fld>(Astron.)</fld> <def>A star of the first magnitude, in the constellation <i>Piscis Australis</i>, or Southern Fish.</def>

<h1>Foment</h1> <Xpage=579>

<hw>Fo*ment"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Fomented</er>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Fomenting</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[F. <ets>fomenter</ets>, fr. L. <ets>fomentare</ets>, fr. <ets>fomentum</ets> (for <ets>fovimentum</ets>) a warm application or lotion, fr. <ets>fovere</ets> to warm or keep warm; perh. akin to Gr. <?/ to roast, and E. <ets>bake</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge wet with warm water or medicated liquid.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To cherish with heat; to foster.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Which these soft fires . . . <b>foment</b> and warm. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>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>as, to <ex>foment</ex> ill humors</as>.</def>

<i>Locke.</i>

<blockquote> But quench the choler you <b>foment</b> in vain. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote> Exciting and <b>fomenting</b> a religious rebellion. <i>Southey.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Fomentation</h1> <Xpage=579>

<hw>Fo`men*ta"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[<?/. <ets>fomentatio</ets>: cf. F. <ets>fomentation</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Med.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>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.</def> <sd>(b)</sd> <def>The lotion applied to a diseased part.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Excitation; instigation; encouragement.</def>

<blockquote>Dishonest <b>fomentation</b> of your pride. <i>Young.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Fomenter</h1> <Xpage=579>

<hw>Fo*ment"er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who foments; one who encourages or instigates; <as>as, a <ex>fomenter</ex> of sedition</as>.</def>

<h1>Fomes</h1> <Xpage=579>

<hw>Fo"mes</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Fomites</plw> <tt>(#)</tt></plu>. <ety>[L. <ets>fomes</ets>, <ets>-itis</ets>, touch-wood, tinder.]</ety> <fld>(Med.)</fld> <def>Any substance supposed to be capable of absorbing, retaining, and transporting contagious or infectious germs; <as>as, woolen clothes are said to be active <ex>fomites</ex></as>.</def>

<h1>Fon</h1> <Xpage=579>

<hw>Fon</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. <ets>f\'beni</ets> silly, <ets>f\'bena</ets> to act silly, Sw. <ets>f\'86ne</ets> fool. Cf. <er>Fond</er>, <tt>a.</tt>]</ety> <def>A fool; an idiot.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Fond</h1> <Xpage=579>

<hw>Fond</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <mark>obs.</mark> <def><tt>imp.</tt> of <er>Find</er>. Found.</def>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Fond</h1> <Xpage=579>

<hw>Fond</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>Compar.</tt> <er>Fonder</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>superl.</tt> <er>Fondest</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[For <ets>fonned</ets>, p. p. of OE. <ets>fonnen</ets> to be foolish. See <er>Fon</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Foolish; silly; simple; weak.</def> <mark>[Archaic]</mark>

<blockquote>Grant I may never prove so <b>fond</b> To trust man on his oath or bond. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Foolishly tender and loving; weakly indulgent; over-affectionate.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Affectionate; loving; tender; -- in a good sense; <as>as, a <ex>fond</ex> mother or wife</as>.</def>