The development and spread of an infectious disease

• Especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol
• A process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances
• Fermentation

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
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 , fermentation , fermenting , ferment ] (medicine) the development and spread of ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Zymosis \Zy*mo"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? fermentation, fr. ? ferment.] (Med.) A fermentation; hence, an analogous process by which an infectious disease is believed to be developed. A zymotic disease. [R.]

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 A fermentation; hence, an analogous process by which an infectious disease is believed to be developed. 2 A zymotic disease.