See Also: mercerize(dictionary)

mercerize (iou)



mercerize verb trans. Also mercerise. M19.
[from John Mercer (d. 1866) of Accrington, NW England, said to have discovered the process in 1844 + -IZE.]
Treat (cotton fabric or thread) under tension with a solution usu. of sodium or potassium hydroxide to give greater strength and impart lustre.
merceri'zation noun E20.