Main Entry: ²leaven

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): leav·ened; leav·en·ing \ˈlev-niŋ, ˈle-və-\

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