Hessian: Meaning and Definition of
Hes•sian
Pronunciation: (hesh'un), [key]
— adj.
- of or pertaining to the state of Hesse or its inhabitants.
—n.
- a native or inhabitant of Hesse.
- a Hessian mercenary used by England during the American Revolution.
- a hireling or ruffian.
- (l.c.) burlap.
- 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.