Defn: A genus of large, extinct, wingless birds from the Cretaceous deposits of Kansas, belonging to the Odontornithes. They had teeth, and were essentially carnivorous swimming ostriches. Several species are known. See Illust. in Append.
HESPERUS
Hes"pe*rus, n. Etym: [L. See Hesper.]
1. Venus when she is the evening star; Hesper.
2. Evening. [Poetic] The Sun was sunk, and after him the Star Of Hesperus. Milton.
HESSIAN
Hes"sian, a.
Defn: Of or relating to Hesse, in Germany, or to the Hessians. 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 (Zoöl.), a small dipterous fly or midge (Cecidomyia destructor). Its larvæ 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
Hes"sian, n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Hesse.
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.