ret
UK[rɛt]US[rɛt]
v
To soak (flax, hemp, or jute) in water to soften it and separate the fibers by partial rotting.
v
To become so soaked.
Etymology
The verb 'ret' originates from the Middle Dutch word 'reten', meaning 'to soak'. This Dutch term is cognate with the Old Norse word 'rota', which also meant 'to steep' or 'to soak'. The word entered the English language in the late 15th century, specifically within the context of textile preparation, where the controlled rotting process was essential for separating the usable fibers of plants like flax. Its semantic journey is direct, moving from a general Germanic concept of soaking to a precise technical term for a crucial step in linen production.
Analysis
The word 'ret' is a simplex verb of Germanic origin. It is not productively formed from smaller, recognizable morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The farmers would ret the flax in the stagnant pond for several weeks.
If the stalks are not retted properly, the fibers will be difficult to separate.
The traditional method is to ret the hemp in slow-moving water.