leaven Hear it!

leaven definition

leaven (lev′ən)

noun

    1. a small piece of fermenting dough put aside to be used for producing fermentation in a fresh batch of dough
    2. leavening (sense )
  2. leavening (sense )

Etymology: ME levein < OFr levain < VL *levamen (in L, alleviation) < L levare, to make light, relieve, raise: see lever

transitive verb

  1. to make (batter or dough) rise before or during baking by means of a leavening agent
  2. to spread through, causing a gradual change

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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