1. to treat cotton fiber or fabric with sodium hydroxide under tension to increase its strength, luster, and ability to take dye
Usage: technical; textile industry

Examples

• The cotton threads were mercerised to give them a silky appearance.
• Mercerised cotton fabric has better dye absorption than untreated cotton.
• The textile mill decided to mercerise the cotton before weaving.
• High-quality bed sheets are often made from mercerised cotton.
• The process to mercerise cotton was invented by John Mercer in 1844.
• Mercerised cotton thread is stronger and more lustrous than regular cotton thread.