First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1leaven
noun leav·en \ˈle-vən\
: a substance (such as yeast) that makes dough rise and become light before it is baked
: something that makes a situation or mood less serious
Full Definition of LEAVEN
1
a : a substance (as yeast) used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid; especially : sourdough b : a material (as baking powder) used to produce a gas that lightens dough or batter
2
: something that modifies or lightens
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Origin of LEAVEN
Middle English levain, from Anglo-French levein, from Vulgar Latin *levamen, from Latin levare to raise — more at lever
2leaven
verb
: to make (something) less serious and often more exciting
: to add leaven to (bread, dough, etc.)
leav·enedleav·en·ing \ˈlev-niŋ, ˈle-və-\
Full Definition of LEAVEN
transitive verb
1
: to raise (as bread) with a leaven
2
: to mingle or permeate with some modifying, alleviating, or vivifying element; especially : lighten <a sermon leavened with humor>
See leaven defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LEAVEN
15th century
Synonym Discussion of LEAVEN
infuse, suffuse, imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven mean to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout. infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance <new members infused enthusiasm into the club>. suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality <a room suffused with light>. imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being <imbue students with intellectual curiosity>. ingrain , used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait <clung to ingrained habits>. inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety <an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas>. leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality <a serious play leavened with comic moments>.
Rhymes with LEAVEN
LEAVEN Defined for Kids
leaven
verb leav·en \ˈle-vən\
leav·enedleav·en·ing
Definition of LEAVEN for Kids
: to cause to rise by adding something (as baking powder) that produces a gas <leavened bread>
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