Definition of "retted" [retted]

• Moistened or soaked to soften. (adjective)

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• "The work of van Tieghem, van Senus, Fribes, Omeliansky and others has now shown that while certain anaerobic bacteria decompose the substance of the middle lamella -- chiefly pectin compounds -- and thus bring about the isolation of the cellulose fibres when, for instance, flax is steeped or "retted," they are unable to attack the cellulose itself."
• "They are then "retted," or beaten, and the fibre is removed."
• "The flax was then "retted," either by laying it on the ground and turning it over or placing it in water."