yeast

¹yeast

noun
\ˈyēst, especially Southern & Midland ˈēst\

Definition of YEAST

1

a : a yellowish surface froth or sediment that occurs especially in saccharine liquids (as fruit juices) in which it promotes alcoholic fermentation, consists largely of cells of a fungus (as the saccharomyces, Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and is used especially in the making of alcoholic liquors and as a leaven in baking b : a commercial product containing yeast fungi in a moist or dry medium c (1) : a unicellular fungus that is present and functionally active in yeast, usually has little or no mycelium, and reproduces by budding (2) : any of various similar fungi

2

archaic : the foam or spume of waves

3

: something that causes ferment or activity <were all seething with the yeast of revolt — J. F. Dobie>

Examples of YEAST

1. <taxation without representation proved to be the yeast of rebellion>

Origin of YEAST

Middle English yest, from Old English gist; akin to Old High German jesen, gesen to ferment, Greek zein to boil

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to YEAST

Synonyms: boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulant, stimulus, impulse

Antonyms: counterincentive, disincentive

Related Words: inducement, invitation; antecedent, cause, consideration, grounds, motive, occasion, reason; catalyst, catalyzer, fuel, spark

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Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with YEAST

beast, east, feast, fleeced, least, piste, priest, reest, triste