I. ˈhe-sə biographical name
Hermann 1877-1962 German author
II. ˈhes, ˈhe-sē geographical name
or German Hes·sen ˈhe-s ə n
1. region W central Germany N of Baden-Württemberg, divided into Hesse-Darmstadt (in the S) & Hesse-Cas·sel -ˈka-s ə l, -ˈkä- (in the N), the latter being united with Prussia in 1866 as part of the province of Hesse-Nassau along with the duchy of Nassau & the city of Frankfurt am Main
2. state of the Weimar Republic, equivalent to Hesse-Darmstadt
3. state of Germany & formerly of West Germany including larger part of Hesse-Darmstadt & part of Hesse-Nassau capital Wiesbaden area 8151 square miles (21,111 square kilometers ), population 5,763,300