I. ˈret, usu -ed.+V verb
( retted ; retted ; retting ; rets )
Etymology: Middle English reten, from Middle Dutch reten, reeten
transitive verb
1. : to soak or expose (as flax or hemp) to moisture in order to promote the loosening of the fiber from the woody tissue by bacterial action ; also : to treat chemically for loosening of the fiber from the woody tissue
2. : to rot or injure by exposure to moisture
intransitive verb
: to become retted : undergo loosening of the fiber from the woody tissue after soaking
it finally rets, and the black inner fiber … can be gathered up and baled — Thomas Barbour
II. noun
( -s )
: retting
dew- ret
water- ret
III. abbreviation
1. retain; retainer; retaining
2. retard
3. retired
4. return; returned