mercerize
[ mur-suh-rahyz ]
/ ˈmɜr səˌraɪz /
verb (used with object), mer·cer·ized, mer·cer·iz·ing.
to treat (cotton yarns or fabric) with caustic alkali under tension, in order to increase strength, luster, and affinity for dye.
Words nearby mercerize
merced, mercedes, mercenary, mercer, mercer island, mercerize, mercery, merch, merchandise, merchandising, merchandize
Also especially British, mer·cer·ise.
Origin of mercerize
1855–60; named after John Mercer (1791–1866), English calico printer, the patentee (1850) of the process; see -ize
OTHER WORDS FROM mercerize
mer·cer·i·za·tion, nounmer·cer·iz·er, nounun·mer·cer·ized, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for mercerize
mercerize
mercerise
/ (ˈmɜːsəˌraɪz) /
verb
(tr) to treat (cotton yarn) with an alkali to increase its strength and reception to dye and impart a lustrous silky appearance
Derived forms of mercerize
mercerization or mercerisation, nounWord Origin for mercerize
C19: named after John Mercer (1791–1866), English maker of textiles
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