To soften or separate by soaking in liquid; to macerate or steep (fibers, plants, or materials) in water or other liquids.
From Latin 'emacerare' where 'e-' (out) + 'macerare' (to soften or soak), from possible roots meaning to make soft or to work textiles.
Before modern manufacturing, workers had to soak plant fibers and materials for weeks to separate them—that's what 'emacerate' means, and retting flax and hemp still use this ancient process!
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