mercerize

(mûr'sə-rīz')
tr.v., -ized, -iz·ing, -iz·es.
To treat (cotton thread) with sodium hydroxide so as to shrink the fiber and increase its luster and affinity for dye.

[After John Mercer (1791-1866), British calico printer.]

View more Literature & Language videos

For a list of words related to mercerizing, see:

• Fashion, Trim, and Sewing - mercerizing: treatment of cotton fiber with caustic alkali under tension to increase strength and luster

---

See words rhyming with "mercerize."