HESSIAN

Noun

hessian (countable and uncountable, plural hessians)

A strong, coarse fabric made from hemp or jute, often used for making sacks.

Synonym: burlap

Anagrams

• shenais

Etymology

Adjective

Hessian (comparative more Hessian, superlative most Hessian)

Of, from or relating to Hesse in Germany.

Of or relating to the German mathematician Otto Hesse (1811–1874).

Noun

Hessian (countable and uncountable, plural Hessians)

A native or inhabitant of Hesse.

(historical) A mercenary soldier, especially a German one who fought with the British in the American Revolutionary War.

A boot with a low heel and semi-pointed toe, which became popular, initially among the military, in the 18th century.

(chiefly, British) Burlap, jute.

(mathematics) Hessian matrix.

Anagrams

• shenais

Source: Wiktionary


Hes"sian, a.

Definition: Of or relating to Hesse, in Germany, or to the Hessians. Hessian boots, or Hessians, boot of a kind worn in England, in the early part of the nineteenth century, tasseled in front. Thackeray.

– Hessian cloth, or Hessians, a coarse hempen cloth for sacking.

– Hessian crucible. See under Crucible.

– Hessian fly (Zoöl.), a small dipterous fly or midge (Cecidomyia destructor). Its larvæ live between the base of the lower leaves and the stalk of wheat, and are very destructive to young wheat; -- so called from the erroneous idea that it was brought into America by the Hessian troops, during the Revolution.

Hes"sian, n.

1. A native or inhabitant of Hesse.

2. A mercenary or venal person. [U. S.]

Note: This use is a relic of the patriot hatred of the Hessian mercenaries who served with the British troops in the Revolutionary War.

3. pl.

Definition: See Hessian boots and cloth, under Hessian, a.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

25 December 2024

UNAMBIGUOUS

(adjective) having or exhibiting a single clearly defined meaning; “As a horror, apartheid...is absolutely unambiguous”- Mario Vargas Llosa


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free. Studies from the National Institute of Health (US) have shown that virtually all decaf coffee types contain caffeine. A 236-ml (8-oz) cup of decaf coffee contains up to 7 mg of caffeine, whereas a regular cup provided 70-140 mg.

coffee icon