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leavena substance (typically yeast) added to dough to make it rise

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a substance (typically yeast) added to dough to make it rise

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlɛvən/

Example Sentences

  • The chef's secret was using wild leaven that had been cultivating for 20 years.
  • His terrible dad jokes somehow managed to leaven even the most awkward family dinner.
  • Without any leaven, the bread came out as flat as a pancake and twice as disappointing.

leaven

NOUN

[/ˈlɛvən/]

a substance (typically yeast) added to dough to make it rise

A pinch of leaven makes the whole dough rise into a golden loaf.
💡 Concept

A pinch of leaven makes the whole dough rise into a golden loaf.

Through seven windows, leaven lifts the bread to heaven!
🎵 Rhyme

Through seven windows, leaven lifts the bread to heaven!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈlɛvən/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈlɛvən/

🌳Etymology

Rootleav-
Suffix--en

Origin

From Old French 'levain', derived from Latin 'levamen' meaning 'that which lightens or lifts', from the verb 'levare' meaning 'to lift or raise'.

Breakdown

lev- (lift/raise, from Latin levare) + -en (noun suffix) = leaven (a lifting/rising agent)

🎵Rhyme

heavenseveneleven
heaven
seven
eleven

🔗Collocations

bread leaven
leaven the atmosphere
natural leaven
leaven with humor
moral leaven
leaven the conversation

📝Examples

The chef's secret was using wild leaven that had been cultivating for 20 years.

😄 Fun example

His terrible dad jokes somehow managed to leaven even the most awkward family dinner.

😄 Fun example

Without any leaven, the bread came out as flat as a pancake and twice as disappointing.

Education should leaven society with critical thinking and creativity.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

yeastfermentcatalystinfluenceagent

Antonyms

flattencompresssuppress

Related

doughrisefermentationbakingenzyme

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