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.

3. a hireling or ruffian.

4. (lowercase),  burlap.

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

Hessian

¹

/ ˈhɛsɪən /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Hesse

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

   2. any German mercenary in the British Army during the War of American Independence

3. a mercenary or ruffian

adjective

1. of or relating to Hesse or its inhabitants

hessian

²

/ ˈhɛsɪən /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• half-Hessian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hessian¹

1670–80; Hesse, Germany + -ian

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hessian¹

C18: from _Hesse + _-ian

Example Sentences

Mazzei’s vineyards showed promise but, according to one legend, were destroyed during the Revolutionary War by rambunctious Hessian prisoners bivouacked there.

Read more on Washington Post

Bethan Thomas, of Project Seagrass, said seeds could be planted using hessian bags or by mixing them with mud before injecting them straight into the seabed.

Read more on BBC

Maniscalco was the co-founder of the Hessian Motorcycle Club.

Read more on Seattle Times

Maniscalco and a fellow Hessian were convicted in the massacre.

Read more on Seattle Times

His body was wrapped in a hessian cotton blanket with rope wrapped in a cross pattern with paintbrushes, flowers and a poem in the grave.

Read more on BBC