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leaven

Syllabification: (leav·en)
Pronunciation: /ˈlevən/
Definition of leaven

noun

  • 1a substance, typically yeast, that is added to dough to make it ferment and rise.
  • dough that is reserved from an earlier batch in order to start a later one fermenting.
  • 2a pervasive influence that modifies something or transforms it for the better:they acted as an intellectual leaven to the warriors who dominated the city

verb

[with object]
  • 1 (usually as adjective leavened) cause (dough or bread) to ferment and rise by adding leaven:leavened breads are forbidden during Passover
  • 2permeate and modify or transform (something) for the better:the proceedings should be leavened by humor (as noun leavening)companies of militia volunteers with a leavening of regular soldiers

Derivatives

leavener

noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French levain, based on Latin levamen 'relief' (literally 'means of raising'), from levare 'to lift'

leaven in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of leaven in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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