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Leaven: meaning, definitions and examples

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leaven

 

[ หˆlษ›vษ™n ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

baking

A substance, typically yeast, that is added to dough to make it ferment and rise.

Synonyms

raising agent, yeast

Examples of usage

  • The recipe calls for adding leaven to the bread dough.
  • She added leaven to the mixture to help the bread rise.
Context #2 | Verb

figurative

To permeate and modify or transform (something) for the better.

Synonyms

brighten, enliven

Examples of usage

  • His positive attitude leavened the atmosphere in the room.
  • She tried to leaven the serious discussion with a touch of humor.

Translations

Translations of the word "leaven" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น fermento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค–เคฎเฅ€เคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Sauerteig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ragi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั€ะพะทะฟัƒัˆัƒะฒะฐั‡

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zakwas

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้…ตๆฏ (ใ“ใ†ใผ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท levain

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ levadura

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท maya

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐœํšจ์ œ (balhyoje)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎู…ูŠุฑุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kvรกsek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ kvรกsok

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้…ตๆฏ (jiร omว”)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kvas

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ ger

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐัˆั‹ั‚า›ั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฎแƒแƒ›แƒ˜แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ maya

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ levadura

Word origin

The word 'leaven' comes from Middle English 'levain', ultimately from Latin 'levamen' meaning 'alleviation' or 'relief'. In baking, leavening agents such as yeast or baking soda have been used for centuries to make bread rise and become light and fluffy. Metaphorically, 'leaven' is also used to describe the process of adding something positive or transformative to a situation.

See also: leave, leaving.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,744, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.