leaven
[verb]
Synonyms: infuse, imbue, ingrain, inoculate, invest, steep, suffuse

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Related Words: moderate, qualify, temper, enliven, quicken, vivify

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. leav‧en¹ /ˈlevən/ (also leav‧en‧ing /ˈlevənɪŋ/) noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: levain, from Vulgar Latin levamen, from Latin levare 'to raise']

1. [uncountable] technical a substance, especially yeast, that is added to a mixture of flour and water so that it will swell and can be baked into bread ⇒ unleavened

2. [singular, uncountable] literary something that makes an event or situation less boring, serious, or sad

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. leaven² verb [transitive]
formal to make something less boring, serious, or sad

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲