leaven
noun
a substance, as yeast or baking powder, that causes fermentation and expansion of dough or batter.
were 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.
By Saturday morning, as the giddy reaction to the flag-raising ceremony wore off, many Cubans were leavening their praise of Kerry with criticism of the US that echoed Rodriguez.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 15, 2015
But now, new thoughts were stirring within her, were leavening her whole mind.
From The Danvers Jewels, and Sir Charles Danvers by Mary Cholmondeley
Nor could explanation be sought in the suggestion that even his rigorous care could not suffice for keeping the band pure, and that some ill-disposed fellows, no doubt, were leavening the rest.
From For the Right by Karl Emil Franzos
