Main Entry:

¹leav·en

Pronunciation:

\ˈle-vən\

Function:

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 batter2: something that modifies or lightens