Hessian

[ hesh-uhn ]

adjective
  1. of or relating to the state of Hesse or its inhabitants.

noun
  1. a native or inhabitant of Hesse.

  2. a Hessian mercenary used by England during the American Revolution.

  1. a hireling or ruffian.

  2. (lowercase) burlap.

  3. Also called Hessian andiron. (in the U.S.) an andiron having as an upright the figure of a Hessian soldier of the Revolutionary War.

Origin of Hessian

1
1670–80; Hesse, Germany + -ian

Other words from Hessian

  • half-Hessian, adjective

Words Nearby Hessian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Hessian in a sentence

  • Hessian soldiers in those days even ordinarily had but few manners, but when in liquor none at all.

    In Hostile Red | Joseph Altsheler
  • Marcel's sword was now making lines of light about him, and the Hessian's part in the combat soon became a defence only.

    In Hostile Red | Joseph Altsheler

British Dictionary definitions for hessian (1 of 2)

hessian

/ (ˈhɛsɪən) /


noun
  1. a coarse jute fabric similar to sacking, used for bags, upholstery, etc

Origin of hessian

1
C18: from Hesse + -ian

British Dictionary definitions for Hessian (2 of 2)

Hessian

/ (ˈhɛsɪən) /


noun
  1. a native or inhabitant of Hesse

    • a Hessian soldier in any of the mercenary units of the British Army in the War of American Independence or the Napoleonic Wars

    • US any German mercenary in the British Army during the War of American Independence

  1. mainly US a mercenary or ruffian

adjective
  1. of or relating to Hesse or its inhabitants

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