Leaven



GRE 蓝宝 Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 发酵剂, 影响力; v. 发酵, 影响或改变
• ［英］ 发酵剂, 影响力 ( any influence to bring about a gradual change) ; 发酵, 影响或改变 ( to spread through, causing a gradual change)
• ［记］ 分割记忆:leave+n

Webster Collegiate

I. noun

• Etymology: Middle English levain, from Anglo-French levein, from Vulgar Latin *levamen, from Latin levare to raise — more at lever
• Date: 14th century
• 1.
  • a. a substance (as yeast) used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid; especially sourdough
  • b. a material (as baking powder) used to produce a gas that lightens dough or batter
• 2. something that modifies or lightens

II. transitive verb (leavened; leavening)

• Date: 15th century
• 1. to raise (as bread) with a leaven
• 2. to mingle or permeate with some modifying, alleviating, or vivifying element; especially lighten <a sermon leavened with humor>
• Synonyms: see infuse

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