/hesh"euhn/ , adj.
1. of or pertaining to the state of Hesse or its inhabitants.
n.
2. a native or inhabitant of Hesse.
3. a Hessian mercenary used by England during the American Revolution.
4. a hireling or ruffian.
5. ( l.c. ) burlap.
6. Also called Hessian andiron . (in the U.S.) an andiron having as an upright the figure of a Hessian soldier of the Revolutionary War.
[ 1670-80; HESSE, Germany + -IAN ]