Definitions for: Leaven


[n] an influence that works subtly to lighten or modify something; "his sermons benefited from a leavening of humor"
[n] a substance used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid
[v] cause to puff up with a leaven; of dough; "unleavened bread"



Webster (1913) Definition: Leav"en, n. [OE. levain, levein, F. levain, L. levamen
alleviation, mitigation; but taken in the sense of, a
raising, that which raises, fr. levare to raise. See Lever,
n.]
1. Any substance that produces, or is designed to produce,
fermentation, as in dough or liquids; esp., a portion of
fermenting dough, which, mixed with a larger quantity of
dough, produces a general change in the mass, and renders
it light; yeast; barm.

2. Anything which makes a general assimilating (especially a
corrupting) change in the mass.

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is
hypocrisy. --Luke xii. 1.


Leav"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Leavened; p. pr. & vb.
n. Leavening.]
1. To make light by the action of leaven; to cause to
ferment.

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. --1 Cor.
v. 6.

2. To imbue; to infect; to vitiate.

With these and the like deceivable doctrines, he
leavens also his prayer. --Milton.

Synonyms: leavening, leavening, prove, raise

See Also: baking powder, barm, bring up, elevate, get up, imponderable, lift, matter, rise, sourdough, substance, yeast

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