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Leavening - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Leavening is a substance, such as yeast or baking powder, used to make dough rise by producing gas bubbles. It creates lightness and texture in baked goods like bread and cakes.

leavening

/ˈlɛvənɪŋ/ /ˈlɛvənɪŋ/

Definition:

A substance used to make dough rise, or the process of lightening or enlivening something.

Synonyms:

yeast, ferment, raising agent, lightening, enlivening

Part of Speech:

noun, verb

Antonyms:

flattening, weighing down

Common Collocations:

baking powder, bread dough, cake batter, sourdough starter

Derivatives:

leaven, leavened

Usage Tips:

Use "leavening" to describe agents like yeast or actions that lighten mood or texture in cooking and conversation.

Common Phrases:

leavening agent, leavening effect, a touch of leavening

Etymology:

From Old French "levain," meaning "yeast," derived from Latin "levamen," meaning "alleviation."

Examples:

  • 1. The baker added leavening to the dough for fluffy bread.
  • 2. Her humor acted as leavening in the tense meeting.
  • 3. Without proper leavening, the cake will be dense and flat.
  • 4. Natural leavening takes longer but enhances flavor in sourdough bread.

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