Definition of "retting" [ret•ting]

• The act or process of preparing flax for use by soaking, maceration, and similar processes. (noun)
• A place where flax is retted; a rettery. (noun)

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• "To separate this valuable commercial product from the woody matter the stalks are first subjected to a process termed retting, which is steeping them in water until they are quite soft."
• "In warmer countries such as Egypt, this step—called retting—can be done in water, but it results in polluted water."
• "We decided that Flamingo Marsh would be the best spot for the operation of steeping or "retting" the flax, and next morning we set out thither with the cart drawn by the ass, and laden with the bundles, between which sat Franz and Knips, while the rest of us followed with spades and hatchets."