leaven
noun
a substance, as yeast or baking powder, that causes fermentation and expansion of dough or batter.
was leavening
-
past progressiveof leaven.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Alexina said the shop, like a little leaven, was leavening the whole neighborhood, and truly it seemed so.
From The Pleasant Street Partnership A Neighborhood Story by Frank T. (Frank Thayer) Merrill
Bruno thought that his little leaven was leavening the whole lump—he was not without ambition—he was flattered by the invitation.
From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 12 Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Scientists by Elbert Hubbard
All this time Rome was leavening the nations who had conquered her.
From Young Folks' History of Rome by Charlotte Mary Yonge
