Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search



Middle English levain, from Old French, from Late Latin levamen, instead of levamentum, ultimately from Latin levō (I raise).



leaven (plural leavens)

  1. Any agent used to make dough rise or to have a similar effect on baked goods.
  2. (figuratively) Anything that makes a general assimilating (especially a corrupting) change in the mass.
    • Bible, Luke xii. 1
      Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Derived terms[edit]



leaven (third-person singular simple present leavens, present participle leavening, simple past and past participle leavened)

  1. (transitive) To add a leavening agent.
  2. (transitive) To cause to rise by fermentation.
  3. (transitive, figuratively) To temper an action or decision.
  4. To imbue; to infect; to vitiate.
    • Milton
      With these and the like deceivable doctrines, he leavens also his prayer.

Derived terms[edit]


See also[edit]