HESSIAN

n. & adj. --n. 1 a strong coarse sacking made of hemp or jute. 2 (Hessian) a native of Hesse in Germany. --adj. (Hessian) of or concerning Hesse. øHessian boot a tasselled high boot first worn by Hessian troops. Hessian fly a midge, Mayetiola destructor, whose larva destroys growing wheat (thought to have been brought to America by Hessian troops). [Hesse in Germany]