n.
Pronunciation: ' le-v ə n
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 batter
2 : something that modifies or lightens