Definitions for: Hessian


[n] (19th century) a man's high tasseled boot



Webster (1913) Definition: Hes"sian, a.
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 (Zo["o]l.), a small dipterous fly or midge
(Cecidomyia destructor). Its larv[ae] 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. See Hessian boots and cloth, under Hessian, a.

Synonyms: Hessian boot, jackboot, Wellington, Wellington boot

See Also: boot

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