Definitions for leaven

• Definition
• Anagrams (90)

leaven leav·en

Spelling: [lev-uh n]

IPA: /ˈlɛv ən/

Leaven is a 6 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 9 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 12 points.

You can make 90 anagrams from letters in leaven (aeelnv).

Definitions for leaven

noun

1. a substance, as yeast or baking powder, that causes fermentation and expansion of dough or batter.
2. fermented dough reserved for producing fermentation in a new batch of dough.
3. an element that produces an altering or transforming influence.

verb (used with object)

1. to add leaven to (dough or batter) and cause to rise.
2. to permeate with an altering or transforming element.

Origin of leaven

1300-50; Middle English levain Anglo-French, Old French levain Vulgar Latin *levāmen, equivalent to Latin levā(re) to raise + -men deverbal noun suffix (probably not continuous with Latin lev

Examples for leaven

“So you give the right information” but leaven it with laughs.

Science has already to some extent leavened the world; it will leaven it more and more.

I could feel the leaven working in his soul, you understand.

All of our tasks should be sweetened and glorified with the leaven of good humor.

It is hard to say if there might not have been some leaven of "pique" in these reasonings.

They cannot draw together, as in England, and leaven the lump.

He compares it to little things, to a tiny seed, to a handful of leaven, to a pearl.

One can hardly conceive how disagreeable this leaven was to the taste.

The leaven of the psychology of independence was getting in its work.

They contain the leaven of the faith, life and spirit of Protestantism.