A primitive root; to be pungent; i.e. In taste (sour, i.e. Literally fermented, or figuratively, harsh), in color (dazzling) -- cruel (man), dyed, be grieved, leavened.
H2556. chamets
I. חָמֵץ verb be sour, leavened (Late Hebrew id., Pi`el Hiph`il make sour, leaven; Arabic be sour; Aramaic חֲמַע be sour, leavened, be leavened) —
Qal Perfect חָמֵץ Exodus 12:39; Imperfect יֶחְמָ֑ץ 12:34; Infinitive suffix חֻמְצָתוֺ Hosea 7:4 +; — be leavened, of dough (בָּצֵק), Exodus 12:34, 39 (E), compare Hosea 7:4.
Hitph. be soured, embittered, Psalm 73:21 ("" אֶשְׁתּוֺנָן כִּלְיוֺתַי).
II. [חמץ] verb be red (? compare Aramaic Ethpa`al blush, be ashamed, possibly originally be red); —
Qal Passive participle construct בְּגָדִים חֲמוּץ red of garments Isaiah 63:1; possibly also Imperfect3feminine singular תֶּחֱמַץ Psalm 68:24 that thy foot may be red with blood (for תמחץ ᵑ0; so Krochm Hi Gr; most, however, read תרחץ see רחץ).
III. [חמץ] verb be ruthless (dubious √; perhaps by-form of חמס; perhaps erroneous for it; identification by most with I. חמץ, be sour, hence sharp, violent, but connection improbable) — only
Qal Participle active וְחוֺמֵץ מְעַוֵּל מִכַּף Psalm 71:4 from the hand of the unjust and ruthless ("" רָשָׁע מִיַּד).