Hessian: Meaning and Definition of

Hes•sian

Pronunciation: (hesh'un), [key]
— adj.
  1. of or pertaining to the state of Hesse or its inhabitants.
—n.
  1. a native or inhabitant of Hesse.
  2. a Hessian mercenary used by England during the American Revolution.
  3. a hireling or ruffian.
  4. (l.c.) burlap.
  5. Also called(in the U.S.) an andiron having as an upright the figure of a Hessian soldier of the Revolutionary War.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: