leaven

US /ˈlev.ən/
UK /ˈlev.ən/
"leaven" picture
1.

酵母, 发酵剂

a substance, typically yeast, that is added to dough to make it ferment and rise

:
•
The baker added leaven to the bread dough.
面包师在面包面团中加入了酵母。
•
Unleavened bread is made without any leaven.
无酵面包不含任何酵母。
:
yeastsourdoughferment
2.

催化剂, 影响

an influence that produces a gradual change or development of something

:
•
His radical ideas acted as a powerful leaven in the conservative community.
他的激进思想在保守社区中起到了强大的催化剂作用。
•
A little humor can leaven a serious discussion.
一点幽默可以缓和严肃的讨论。
:
influencecatalystmodifiertransforming agent
1.

使发酵, 使膨胀

to cause (dough or bread) to ferment and rise by adding leaven

:
•
The baker will leaven the dough overnight.
面包师将让面团发酵过夜。
•
The yeast helps to leaven the bread.
酵母有助于使面包发酵。
:
fermentraiserise
2.

缓和, 改善

to permeate and subtly transform (something) for the better

:
•
His optimism began to leaven the gloomy atmosphere.
他的乐观开始改善阴郁的气氛。
•
A touch of humor can leaven even the most serious topics.
一丝幽默可以缓和即使是最严肃的话题。
:
permeateinfuseenlivenimprovetransform