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- Dictionaryleaven/ˈlɛvn/
noun
- 1. a substance, typically yeast, that is used in dough to make it rise.
- 2. a 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
- 1. cause (dough or bread) to rise by adding yeast or another raising agent: "it only take a little bit of yeast to leaven the bread" Similar
- 2. permeate and modify or transform (something) for the better: "the proceedings should be leavened by humour" Similar
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LEAVEN definition: 1. to add a substance to bread or another food made with flour to make it increase in size when it…. Learn more.
1. : to raise (something, such as bread) with a leaven. 2. : to mingle or permeate with some modifying, alleviating, or vivifying element. especially : lighten. a sermon leavened with humor. Choose the Right Synonym for leaven. infuse, suffuse, imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven mean to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout.
verb. If a situation or activity is leavened by or with something, it is made more interesting or cheerful. His mood of deep pessimism cannot have been leavened by his mode of transport–a black cab. [be V-ed + by/with] He found congenial officers who knew how to leaven war's rigours with riotous enjoyment. [V n + by/with] [ Also VERB noun]
noun. any substance that produces fermentation in dough or batter, such as yeast, and causes it to rise. a piece of such a substance kept to ferment a new batch of dough. an agency or influence that produces a gradual change.
Leaven, as a noun, is that which causes transformation. It’s the source of yeast that makes your bread rise, it’s the risen bread, and it’s anything that changes the nature of something else. Coming through Old French from the Latin verb levare, which means “to raise,” leaven changes everything.
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. v.t. 4. to add leaven to (dough or batter) and cause to rise.
Definition of leaven verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
