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Leaven (Noun)

A substance used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid.

Nouns denoting substances.

Bakers use yeast as a leaven to make their bread rise.
The vintner carefully added the leaven to the wine mixture to start the fermentation process.
The old recipe called for a natural leaven, which slow-fermented the sourdough bread over several days.
The master brewer chose a special leaven for the new batch of beer to give it a unique flavor.
She added the leaven to the dough, then gently kneaded it to distribute evenly before letting it rest.

An influence that works subtly to lighten or modify something; "his sermons benefited from a leavening of humor".

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.

The somber atmosphere was relieved by a leaven of playfulness that had become a hallmark of the poet's style.
A dash of humility proved to be the necessary leaven in her fiery personality that brought people to admire her strength and wisdom.
Her teaching style benefited greatly from a leaven of creative and unconventional methods.
His years spent living in Paris had brought a subtle leaven of European culture to his mannerisms.
A healthy dose of humor added the leaven required to soften the difficult realities she spoke about.