mercerize

[ mur-suh-rahyz ]

/ ˈmɜr səˌraɪz /

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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.

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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, adjective

Words nearby mercerize

Merced, Mercedes, mercenary, mercer, Mercer Island, mercerize, mercery, merch, merchandise, merchandiser, merchandising

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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, noun

Word Origin for mercerize

C19: named after John Mercer (1791–1866), English maker of textiles

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012