Leaven
/ˈlɛvən/noun
A substance, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise; or the process of making something less raw or more developed.
Did you know?In Biblical and medieval English, leaven was often treated as a potent symbol of hidden influence, because a tiny amount could silently change an entire loaf.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leup-
“to peel, break off, or loosen”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*laubjaną
“to make soft or loosen”
Old English
OE
hlǣfġef
“leaven, yeast; that which makes bread rise”
Middle English
EN
leven
“leaven, yeast”
Modern English
English
leaven
“a substance used to make dough rise; something that subtly modifies or lightens”