Hessian
Hessian , adjective
Of or relating to Hesse, in Germany, or to the Hessians.
Collocations (4)
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 (Zoology) , a small dipterous fly or midge (Cecidomyia destructor). Its larvae 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.
Hessian , noun
1.
A native or inhabitant of Hesse.
2.
A mercenary or venal person. [United States]
This use is a relic of the patriot hatred of the Hessian mercenaries who served with the British troops in the Revolutionary War.
3.
See Hessian boots and cloth, under Hessian, a.