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leaven

Pronunciation: /ˈlɛv(ə)n/
Definition of leaven

noun

[mass 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 humour (as noun leavening)companies of Territorial Army 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 US English dictionary

Nearby words

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