barms
|barms|
🇺🇸
/bɑrmz/
🇬🇧
/bɑːmz/
(barm)
yeast/fermentation foam
Etymology
'barms' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'beorma', where 'beorma' meant 'yeast' or 'froth'.
'barms' changed from the Old English word 'beorma' through Middle English forms such as 'barme' and eventually became the modern English noun 'barm' (plural 'barms').
Initially, it meant 'yeast' or 'froth', and over time it has retained that sense while also coming to be associated regionally with soft bread rolls made using barm.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'barm': the froth or foam formed during the fermentation of malt liquors; yeast skimmed from the top of fermenting beer or ale and used for baking.
They skimmed the barms off the fermenting beer and used them to leaven the bread.
Synonyms
Noun 2
regional (Northern England) plural referring to barm cakes or soft bread rolls made using barm.
At the bakery they sold barms filled with bacon and egg for breakfast.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/17 13:58