barm
|barm|
🇺🇸
/bɑrm/
🇬🇧
/bɑːm/
yeast/fermentation foam
Etymology
'barm' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'beorma', where 'beorma' meant 'yeast' or 'ferment'.
'barm' changed from Old English word 'beorma' and eventually became the modern English word 'barm'.
Initially, it meant 'yeast or the froth of fermentation', and over time it has retained that core meaning of 'fermentation foam or yeast used for leavening'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the froth or foam formed on fermenting liquids, especially beer; the yeast-rich scum produced during fermentation.
The brewer skimmed the barm from the top of the vat.
Synonyms
Noun 2
yeast used as a leavening agent in baking (barm used to make bread rise).
Traditional recipes called for barm to leaven the loaves.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to cause to produce barm or to cover with barm; to ferment so that froth appears.
The wort began to barm after a few hours.
Synonyms
Verb 2
to leaven (dough) with barm; to use barm as a leavening agent.
She barmed the dough with a spoonful of fresh barm.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/17 09:32