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Petting vs Retting - What's the difference?

petting | retting |

As nouns the difference between petting and retting

is that petting is (kissing, stroking, etc, in a sexual manner) while retting is the act or process of preparing flax for use by soaking, maceration, and similar processes.

petting

English

Verb

(head)
    • I am petting my rabbit

    Noun

  • The act of stroking or fondling an animal.
  • The act of kissing, stroking, etc., a person in a sexual manner.
  • The act of indulging or treating as a favourite.
  • * Louisa May Alcott, Good Wives
    • 'Come, Jo, don't be thorny. After studying himself to a skeleton all the week, a fellow deserves petting , and ought to get it.'

    Derived terms

    * heavy petting

    See also

    * foreplay

    retting

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act or process of preparing flax for use by soaking, maceration, and similar processes.
    • (Ure)
  • A place where flax is retted; a rettery.
    • (Ure)

    Synonyms

    * (preparation of flax) rotting (Webster 1913)