▪ I. ˈretting, vbl. n.
Also 8 raiting, 8–9 rating.
[f. ret v.2 + -ing1.]
The preparation of flax, etc., by steeping or watering.
| 1727–38 Chambers Cycl., Raiting, or Rating, the laying of hemp, flax, timber, &c. when green, in a pond, or running water, to season and dispose it for future uses. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 416 The hemp-plant..has to undergo a variety of processes. The first of these is retting, that is, exposing it to the action of the dew, or water. 1883 R. Haldane Workshop Rec. Ser. ii. 321/1 A few hours then suffice for the retting or maceration of the gut. |
b. attrib., as retting-ground, retting-pit, retting-process.
| 1788 W. Marshall Yorksh. II. 74 The ‘rating-ground’, a piece of unbroken aftergrass, where the sheaflets are untied, and the flax spread thin upon the grass. a 1825 Forby Voc. E. Anglia, Retting-pit, a pond used for soaking hemp. 1883 Times 24 Oct. 3 Moreover the retting process..is a delicate operation. |
▪ II. ˈretting, ppl. a.
[f. ret v.2 + -ing2.]
That rets or rots.
| 1930 Discovery Dec. 408/1 The clean flax fibre obtained from the harvested flax straw is a silky lustrous material of a pale cream colour, not susceptible to the attack of retting bacteria. 1978 Sci. Amer. Aug. 75/3 The seeds then sink to the bottom of the retting liquid, and the residue is removed by flotation and screening. |