fomentation
(fəʊmənˈteɪʃən)
[ad. late L. fōmentātiōn-em, n. of action f. fōmentāre to foment. Cf. F. fomentation.]
1. Med. The application to the surface of the body either of flannels, etc. soaked in hot water, whether simple or medicated, or of any other warm, soft, medicinal substance. dry fomentation (see quot. 1882).
| c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 252 Þer upon þou schalt make a fomentacioun wiþ hoot water. 1541 R. Copland Guydon's Formul. X j b. Fomentacyon with oyle and terebentyne medled & warmed. 1578 Lyte Dodoens i. xxxiv. 50 In manner of a fomentation or a warme bathe. 1661 Lovell Hist. Anim. & Min. 289 Fomentation with sponges in vineger. 1702 J. Purcell Cholick (1714) 133 Flannel, or a Thin Woollen Cloth worn next to the Skin..is a lesser kind of perpetual Fomentation. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. s.v., A Dry Fomentation. 1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 578 Fomentations with water. 1882 M. Beck in Quain's Dict. Med. s.v., The term ‘dry fomentation’ is sometimes applied to bags of salt, hot bran, or chamomile flowers; or pieces of flannel toasted before a fire and applied hot. |
b. concr. The remedial means so applied.
| 1546 T. Phaer Bk. Childr. (1553) R j a, Ye may make a fomentacion of hoate and moist herbes. 1643 J. Steer tr. Exp. Chyrurg. xv. 58 Boyle them in the Broth..for a Fomentation. c 1720 W. Gibson Farrier's Dispens. xi. (1734) 249 Fomentations are made only with aqueous Menstruums whereas Embrocations consist of [etc.]. 1789 W. Buchan Dom. Med. (1790) 311 Flannels wrung out of warm spirituous fomentations should likewise be applied. 1894 Sir F. Fitzwygram Horses & Stables §314 Hot water makes the best fomentation. |
| fig. 1593 Queen Elizabeth Boeth. (E.E.T.S.) 30 Because the fomentations of my reason haue entred in the. |
† 2. The action or process of cherishing with heat or warming.
Obs.| 1669 Gale Crt. Gentiles i. iii. iii. 42 In this discription..we have the Spirit's Motion, Fomentation, and Formation of althings out of this Chaos. Ibid., The Fomentation of an Hen, that sets abrood. |
3. fig. The action or process of fomenting, fostering or stimulation; encouragement, instigation.
| a 1612 Donne βιαθανατος (1644) 39 Denying to it lawfull refreshings, and fomentations. 1670–1 Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 373, I am..well pleased to find him and Mr. Whittington jealous of one another, which shall not want fomentation. 1742 Young Nt. Th. v. 743 Dishonest fomentation of your pride. 1861 Times 29 Aug., The fomentation of Hungarian discontent by foreign intrigues. |
b. A means of fomentation, an influence that foments, a stimulus.
| a 1631 Donne Serm. viii. 79 They [our works] cleave to us; whether as Fomentations to nourish us or as Corrosives to gnaw upon us. 1659 C. Noble Inexpediency of Exped. 5 Unless the..slie Redarguings..be a rise and fomentation to such a Dispute. |