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 65-year-old came to court in downtown Los Angeles for closing arguments this month in one of the biggest trials of his career, armed with a parable of leavened bread.

From The Wall Street Journal

Closely cropped and dramatically lighted, the tight composition gives the familiar scene a new immediacy and intimacy, leavened by the playful interaction of the Christ child and St. John.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• imbue
• infuse