Etymology of the English word leaven
the English word
leavenderived from the Old French word
levainderived from the Vulgar Latin word
levamen (alleviation, solace)
derived from the Latin word
levare (to raise; alleviate; make smooth, polish; lift, raise, hold up; lighten, lessen, relieve; undo, take off; release)
derived from the Classical Latin word
levis (light, thin, trivial; smooth; slippery, polished)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*legʷh-derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*lei-derived from the English word
leafderived from the Proto-Germanic root
*laubazderived from the Old French word
ultimatelyderived from the Latin word
lutum (mud, dirt, clay; weld, plant giving yellow dye; the dye)
derived from the Vulgar Latin word
levamen (alleviation, solace)
derived from the Latin word
levare (to raise; alleviate; make smooth, polish; lift, raise, hold up; lighten, lessen, relieve; undo, take off; release)
derived from the Classical Latin word
levis (light, thin, trivial; smooth; slippery, polished)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*legʷh-derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*lei-derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*leip-Date
The earliest known usage of leaven in English dates from the 14th century.
Derivations in English
unleavened,
leave,
leaved,
leavened,
leaveningUsage
Word found in Middle English, Modern English
