Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
Advanced Dictionary      
Lookup History
leaven

leav·en

leaven

 
 
pronunciation:
le vn
parts of speech:
transitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun)
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: leavens, leavening, leavened
definition 1: to produce fermentation in (dough or batter), consequently causing the dough or batter to rise in the process of baking.
The dough is leavened with yeast.
definition 2: to enliven or change with a subtle, pervasive influence.
The story is leavened by her sense of comic irony.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a substance, such as yeast, that produces fermentation in a dough or batter and causes it to rise.
definition 2: an element that has a subtle, enlivening, or modifying effect; leavening.
the leaven of humor
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature