hessian

Definitions

1. 1.A native or inhabitant of Hesse.
2. 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. 3.pl. See Hessian boots and cloth, under Hessian, a.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "hessian" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is hessian.

• What is 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 called?
• What is pl. See Hessian boots and cloth, under Hessian, a called?