(n)a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol, Syn.zymolysis, ferment, fermentation, fermenting
‖ n. [ NL., fr. Gr. zymwtiko`s fermentation, fr. zy`mh ferment. ] (Med.) (a) A fermentation; hence, an analogous process by which an infectious disease is believed to be developed. (b) A zymotic disease. [ R. ] The medical usage is now (2004) archaic. -- PJC. [ 1913 Webster ]