leaven
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of LEAVEN
[noncount]
1
:
a substance (such as yeast) that makes dough rise and become light before it is baked
— called also
leavening
2
literary
:
something that makes a situation or mood less serious
-
a serious book that includes a few humorous stories as leaven
2
leaven
/ˈlɛvən/
verb
leavens;
leavened;
leavening
2
leaven
/ˈlɛvən/
verb
leavens;
leavened;
leavening
Britannica Dictionary definition of LEAVEN
[+ object]
1
formal
:
to make (something) less serious and often more exciting
-
Her jokes leavened [=lightened] the meeting's mood.
-
He needs to leaven his speeches with more humor.
2
:
to add leaven to (bread, dough, etc.)
-
using yeast to leaven the dough/bread
-
Some breads are leavened [=made with leaven] and some breads are unleavened.
