Etymology of the French word levain
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-Date
The earliest known usage of levain in French dates from the 12th century.
Derivations in other languages
English
leavenCognates
Provençal
levamUsage
Word found in Old French
