Hansa

[ han-suh, -zuh ]

noun

1. a company or guild of merchants in a northern European medieval town.
2. a fee paid to a merchant guild by a new member.
3. Also called Hansa town, a town that is a member of the Hanseatic League.
4. Hanseatic League.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hansa¹

< Medieval Latin; replacing Middle English hans, hanze < Middle Low German hanse; cognate with Old English hōs, Old High German, Gothic hansa company

Example Sentences

But Hansa proved herself a merry little maid, who, after all, did not care for such trifles.

From Project Gutenberg

"We have no room for two girls here," said Olaf, and he gave poor Hansa a very rough push.

From Project Gutenberg

The Spaniards who had arrived on board the Hansa consisted of nine men and a lad of twelve years of age, named Pablo.

From Project Gutenberg

The steelyard was committed to the keeping of Ben Zoof, and the visitors prepared to quit the Hansa.

From Project Gutenberg

A quarter of an hour later, the visitors to the Hansa had reassembled in the common hall of Nina's Hive.

From Project Gutenberg