jess

[jes]Falconry.

noun

a short strap fastened around the leg of a hawk and attached to the leash.

verb (used with object)

to put jesses on (a hawk).

Origin of jess

1300–50; Middle English ges < Old French ges, gez, getz (nominative) (get oblique > French jet; cf. jet¹) ≪ Latin jactus a throwing, equivalent to jac(ere) to throw + -tus suffix of v. action

Jess

[jes]

noun

a male or female given name, form of Jesse, Jessie, or Jessica.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for jess

Contemporary Examples of jess

But she surprised the test pilots—there were three, the chief test pilot Jack Waddell, Wygle and Jess Wallick.
The Sexy Dream of the 747
Clive Irving
October 26, 2014
“The progressive movement knows how critical adding more Democratic women to our government is,” said spokeswoman Jess McIntosh.
Progressive Left's Latest Target: EMILY's List
David Freedlander
September 4, 2014
I met Ned 10 years ago when we were all living together—him, Jess, and I—out in L.A., and Ned had been writing this.
Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy on 'Eleanor Rigby,' First Heartbreak, and Robin Williams
Marlow Stern
September 2, 2014
Chastain: No, but Jess [Weixler] told me you had some wild night out with dancing?
Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy on 'Eleanor Rigby,' First Heartbreak, and Robin Williams
Marlow Stern
September 2, 2014
You were also on a great episode of New Girl where the gang plays “True American” and Nick and Jess kiss.
Brooklyn Decker on Her ‘Horrible’ Modeling Experiences, Marriage, and Cracking Hollywood
Marlow Stern
April 11, 2014

Historical Examples of jess

Jess had recognized friends, and the doctor is drawing rein.
A Doctor of the Old School, Part 3
Ian Maclaren
After the funeral Drumsheugh came himself for Jess, and took her to his farm.
A Doctor of the Old School, Part 5
Ian Maclaren
I am very happy to hear, by Miss Jess Lewars, that you are all well.
The Letters of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
I don't like that schooner, Jess, and its ugly crew, lying there in the Cove.
The Inn at the Red Oak
Latta Griswold
All right, Jess, take his stuff to the beach and hail the schooner.
The Inn at the Red Oak
Latta Griswold

British Dictionary definitions for jess

jess

noun

a short leather strap, one end of which is permanently attached to the leg of a hawk or falcon while the other can be attached to a leash

verb

(tr) to put jesses on (a hawk or falcon)

Derived Formsjessed, adjective

Word Origin for jess

C14: from Old French ges, from Latin jactus a throw, from jacere to throw

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for jess

leg-strap used in hawking and falconry, mid-14c., from Old French jes "straps fastened round the legs of a falcon," plural of jet, literally "cast, throw," from Latin iactus "a throw, cast," from iacere (see jet (v.)). Related: Jesses.