Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Leaven
Leav′en
,Noun.
[OE. ]
levain
, levein
, F. levain
, L. levamen
alleviation, mitigation; but taken in the sense of, a raising, that which raises, fr. levare
to raise. See Lever
, Noun.
1.
Any substance that produces, or is designed to produce, fermentation, as in dough or liquids; esp., a portion of fermenting dough, which, mixed with a larger quantity of dough, produces a general change in the mass, and renders it light; yeast; barm.
2.
Anything which makes a general assimilating (especially a corrupting) change in the mass.
Beware of the
leaven
of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke xii. 1.
Leav′en
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Leavened
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Leavening
.] 1.
To make light by the action of leaven; to cause to ferment.
A little leaven
leaveneth
the whole lump. 1 Cor. v. 6.
2.
To imbue; to infect; to vitiate.
With these and the like deceivable doctrines, he
leavens
also his prayer. Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Leaven
LEAVEN
,Noun.
1.
A mass of sour dough, which, mixed with a larger quantity of dough or paste, produces fermentation in it and renders it light. During the seven days of the passover, no leaven was permitted to be in the houses of the Jews. Ex. 12.2.
Any thing which makes a general change in the mass. It generally means something which corrupts or depraves that with which it is mixed.Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matt. 16.
LEAVEN
,Verb.
T.
1.
To excite fermentation in; to raise and make light, as dough or paste.A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 1Cor. 5.
2.
to taint; to imbue.