leaven

American  

[lev-uhn] / ˈlɛv ən /

noun

1. a substance, as yeast or baking powder, that causes fermentation and expansion of dough or batter.

2. fermented dough reserved for producing fermentation in a new batch of dough.

3. an element that produces an altering or transforming influence.

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verb (used with object)

1. to add leaven to (dough or batter) and cause to rise.

2. to permeate with an altering or transforming element.

leaven British  

/ ˈlɛvən /

noun

1. any substance that produces fermentation in dough or batter, such as yeast, and causes it to rise

2. a piece of such a substance kept to ferment a new batch of dough

3. an agency or influence that produces a gradual change

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verb

1. to cause fermentation in (dough or batter)

2. to pervade, causing a gradual change, esp with some moderating or enlivening influence

Etymology

Origin of leaven

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English levain, levein, leven, from Anglo-French levein, levain, Old French levain, from Vulgar Latin levāmen (unrecorded) “means of raising or lifting,” from Latin levāmen “alleviation, mitigation, relief,” derivative of levā(re) “to raise, lift up; relieve, reduce” + -men noun suffix

Example Sentences

The film leavens its comprehensive pessimism only through the shimmering brilliance of its execution.

From The Wall Street Journal

He had spent the first half of third grade under the tutelage of a teacher named Mr. Carbine, who had leavened the civics lessons with fun facts about presidents.

From Literature

Her narrative is leavened by a critical sympathy for her subject and well-observed accounts of her visits to the sites of Augustine’s career.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Weapons” has something for everyone: jump scares for horrorphiles, nods to classics like “Rashomon” and “Magnolia” for film buffs, and more than a few laughs to leaven the tension.

From The Wall Street Journal

The series largely belongs to them — both actors are terrific, Shannon imbuing Garfield with a gravity leavened with kindness and humor, Macfadyen’s Guiteau, optimistically dedicated to his delusions yet always about to pop.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• imbue
• infuse