over-leaven, v.
(-ˈlɛv(ə)n)
[over- 27.]
trans. To leaven too much; to imbue to excess with some modifying element; to cause to rise or swell too much, to ‘puff up’.
| 1602 Shakes. Ham. i. iv. 29 Some habit, that too much o'er⁓leavens The form of plausive manners. a 1644 Chillingw. Serm. (1664) vii. §48, I beseech you..to free yourselves from the burden and weight of other men's riches, lest they over⁓leaven and swell you so unmeasurably. 1648 Herrick Hesper., To Bk. (1869) 3 Come thou not neere those men, who are like bread O're-leven'd. |
So † ˈover-ˈleaven a., having an excess of leaven. Obs. nonce-wd.
| 1648 Herrick Hesper., To M. Jo. Wicks (1869) 344 Yet sho'd I chance, my Wicks, to see An over-leven look in thee, To soure the bread, and turn the beer To an exalted vineger. |