RET Meaning of RET in English v. (also rate) (retted, retting) 1. tr. soften (flax, hemp, etc.) by soaking or by exposure to moisture. 2 intr. (often as retted adj.) (of hay etc.) be spoilt by wet or rot. Etymology: ME, rel. to ROT Oxford English vocab. Оксфордский английский словарь. 2012