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

Instead he saw a man in a silver hat—a Hessian.

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He walked along, waving stiffly like a Hessian might.

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British and Hessian soldiers were getting closer to the fort.

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Nate looked at the Hessian, lying on the ground, and he knew what to do.

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He shrugged it off, and used the Hessian’s razor-sharp bayonet to help him tear off the bottom of the coat.

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