yeasts
|yeast|
/jiːst/
(yeast)
fermentation agent
Etymology
'yeast' originates from Old English 'ġist' or 'ġyst', where the root referred to 'foam' or 'froth' associated with fermentation.
'yeast' changed from Old English 'ġist'/'ġyst' into Middle English forms such as 'yest' and 'yeste', and eventually became the modern English 'yeast'.
Initially, it meant 'foam' or 'froth' produced by fermentation; over time the word came to refer to the organism or agent responsible for that fermentation and to the leavening material used in baking.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
unicellular fungi used as a leavening agent in baking and for fermenting beverages; the microorganisms (often Saccharomyces species) that cause fermentation.
Different yeasts are used to produce distinct beer flavors.
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Noun 2
types or strains of these organisms (countable usage): particular species or varieties of yeast.
Laboratories study several yeasts to find the best strain for the experiment.
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Noun 3
figurative: a source or cause of growth, development, or stirring activity (something that produces rapid change).
His speech acted as yeasts in the campaign, energizing supporters.
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Last updated: 2025/11/28 08:51