Hessian

American  

[hesh-uhn] / ˈhɛʃ ən /

adjective

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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adjective

1. of or relating to Hesse or its inhabitants

hessian ² British  

/ ˈhɛsɪən /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• half-Hessian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Hessian

1670–80; Hesse, Germany + -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.

From Washington Post • Mar. 16, 2023

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

From Seattle Times • Feb. 16, 2023

Mr. Catts believes that the soldiers belonged to the Regiment von Mirbach and that they were at the center of the Hessian formations during the assault.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2022

Washington saw an opportunity in the exposed Hessian garrison of 1,500 men posted across the Delaware at Trenton.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2021

The men decided that traveling right under their noses, with the slaves hidden beneath a Hessian blanket in the back of Fletcher’s cart, was the most prudent.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead